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By: Mike Ghouse
Have Muslims failed in communicating the good work they do to serve fellow humans? There are several Muslim charities, but the sad story is very few of them are known to the world.
Last week, I was talking with my friends (Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and a Sikh) about what is going on with Corona. Most of them made a point to sympathize with the plight of Muslims in India but added, they wished Muslims condemn extremism.
Yes, I wanted to scream at them for their ignorance but realized that we had not done a good job of letting others know about the worthy charity work Muslims do, like all others.
I quoted them a British report from a few years ago that Muslims ranked among the first in Charitable giving, then I mentioned about Islamic Relief. They were not listening but unloading it like a broken record on ‘their’ friend. I am glad they were open enough to share what they are obsessed with.
Then I gave them the reason why Muslims don’t flaunt their charities. I quoted the wisdom of the Prophet, “When you give, let your left hand not know what the right hand gives.” The understanding was for the receiver to be free from the burden of Ehsan- i.e., indebtedness, nor should one lose his/her freedom. There are a few people out there who publicly humiliate the person, and make them take their side in public gatherings and even sing their songs. Freedom is one of the most cherished values of Islam. Indeed, twelve such values contribute to the wellness of the entire world. They are listed and backed up with verses from the Quran in the book American Muslim Agenda.
Mian Meer’s charity was well known, and no one would go empty-handed from his door. However, he lowered his eyes when he gave. Tulsidas heard about it and asked him in a Doha (couplet), why do you lower your eyes when you donate? Mian Meer countered it with another Doha – It was not mine to give; it was given by God, which I am merely passing it on. When they thought that I was the giver, I felt humiliated and hence lowered my Nain (eyes).
Thank God and thanks to Sean Hannity at Fox News, where my patience was tested time and again. I have learned to listen without interruption, to understand another point of view so I can see the full picture. You will be surprised; if you listen to others with patience, they will give their ear to you. Hannity did and did a few good things; one among them was he quit bashing the Quran. Patiently listening to those who held a different point of view allowed me to offer and act on pluralistic solutions.
Here are some of the Muslim Charities that serve humanity.
- Aga Khan Foundation – https://www.akdn.org
- Islamic Relief USA- http://irusa.org
- Response USA – https://www.rusard.org
- Mercy Without Limits – www.mwlimits.org
- Humanity First – https://usa.humanityfirst.org
- Zakat Foundation – www.zakat.org
- United Mission for Relief – www.umrelief.org
- Total Giving – https://www.totalgiving.co.uk
- ICNA Relief https://www.icnarelief.org
- Islamic Medical Association – www.IMANA.org
- Edhi Foundation – https://edhi.org/
- Azim Premji Foundation – azimpremjifoundation.org
- Being Humans – https://www.beinghumanfoundation.in/
One of my Christian friends interrupted by saying that these charities served only Muslims. I asked him if Catholic Charities was only for Catholics? He said no, then I said, so are Muslim Charities, they are out there whenever there is a disaster serving fellow humans regardless of their religion. Azim Premji is one of the biggest donors in India, maybe the biggest in India, and it goes to all Indians. Salman Khan donates 90% of his income to his Being Human foundation, which serves all Indians. During the Gujarat earthquake, I know several of my Muslim relatives gave their jewelry for the cause. Nizam of Hyderabad donated a planeload of Gold when PM Shastri called for help. He also donated large sums of money to the Banaras Hindu University. In the first week of April 2010 – two Hindus in different parts of India were given the last rites by Muslims, as the relatives did not want to go near the dead bodies of their loved ones. Frank Islam Foundation pays to promote good stories to build harmony among the people of India. The list is endless.
They said they never heard of them, and repeated that they don’t remember Muslims condemning terrorists or not serving others. They were still hung up on it, and double down on it, “I am not ignorant, if I don’t know it, then you guys have not communicated.” I realize the poor messaging on the part of Muslims. If they just google search it, they will find it. Muslims from across the world continue to condemn terrorists, just as Hindus condemn the lynchers and hate mongers among them.
There is a need for Muslim Charities to learn to message. They need to write press releases regularly, it’s an expense, but it will brand them in the same light as the respected Catholic Charities. Muslims are doing the right things, but doing it quietly. Collectively they contribute a lot towards the wellbeing of humanity. the public can see the amount of work Muslims do and change their perception. They will be transferred from a sense of reservation to boldly standing up for the plight of Muslims in China, Burma, Kashmir, India, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere. Our responsibility does not end there, and we have to firmly condemn and criticize Muslim majority nations where they mistreat their minorities. Fortunately, we are doing it, but it does not make it to the mainstream media.
It is time we dedicate some time in promoting Muslim deeds in any fashion we can, as a catalyst in fostering goodwill among the community of nations and faiths.
The other part is our Muslim Doctors, Nurses, and medical professionals do so much pro-bono work through free Muslim clinics without recognition. I have shared the story about a talk I gave to a conservative group; some of them were going crazy in the Q&A session. Then one woman stood up and silenced everyone. “Don’t you talk about Muslims in that way, I am alive today because of the Muslim Doctors and their Muslim Clinics.” She was referring to the two Muslim clinics in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The full story is in the book American Muslim Agenda.
Now, it is time for us to uplift our Doctors about Corona Crisis. Innumerable Muslim Doctors are serving people affected by Corona quietly. I would urge you to make a list of such Doctors and let your local TV station know about their expertise.
Let’s live a purposeful life and let’s multiply the goodness in the world. Amen!
Dr. Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, author, business consultant, community organizer, news-maker, and an interfaith wedding officiant. He is deeply committed to Religious Freedom, Human Rights, and Pluralism in Religion, Politics, Societies, and the workplace. He is dedicated to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and civic, religious and political leaders. His profile is at www.TheGhouseDiary.com
Mike Ghouse is a Public Speaker, pluralist, thinker, author, organizer, business and community consultant, newsmaker, and an interfaith wedding officiant.
He is deeply committed to Pluralism** in Religion, Politics, Societies and workplace. Religious freedom and Human rights are a part of his commitment.
His new book American Muslim Agenda is available on Amazon/ Kindle for $5.99. A few books are on the horizon; Pluralism in America, Standing up for others. and Prosperity of a Nation hinges on Freedom.
Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and policy makers.
His mission is to open people’s hearts and minds towards each other. He believes that the ultimate purpose of humans is to live freely and securely with their culture, race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, and individuality. It comes through fostering democratic values.
** Pluralism is defined as “respecting the otherness of the others, and accepting the God-given uniqueness of each one of us.”
WHO IS MIKE?
- An American Citizen.
- A resident of Washington DC since 2015.
- Texan for over 35 years.
- Home town is Dallas, Texas.
- Motherland is India – born and raised in Yelahanka, Bangalore.
- Pluralist – one who respects the otherness of the others.
- A conflict mitigator and a goodwill nurturer.
- Google profile – over 60 Million views.
- Religiously a pluralist Muslim.
- Socially progressive.
- Politically independent and moderate.
- Bias towards none.
- At home with every faith, race, ethnicity, culture, and society.
- Initiated the Annual Thanksgiving Celebrations & Awards Night since 1994.
- Initiated the Annual Unity Day USA since 2005.
- Initiated the Annual Reflections on the Holocaust and Genocides since 2006.
- Managed over 100 public events in 25 plus years.
- Spoken at events of larger than 5000 audiences. Rally | Convention | Show
- TV commentator on National TV over 300 appearances including Fox.
- Appeared in over 150 Nationally syndicated Radio Shows with Hannity.
- Published 3600 plus articles in over 300 newspapers around the world.
- Author – American Muslim Agenda and two more books on the horizon.
- Ghouse’s work has been cited in over 500 Books and articles.
- Ghouse has contributed chapters in several books.
- Conducted workshops on all religions from Atheists to Zoroastrians.
- Produced and broadcasted 780 hours of radio shows on the wisdom of Religions -104 hours each for Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. 52 hours each for Atheism, Bahai, Buddhism, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, Zoroastrians, and other traditions.
- Published a bi-monthly News magazine Asian News Journal for 7 years.
- Produced and co-anchored 25 weekly TV shows.
- Past President of Home Owners Association in Carrollton, North Texas Cricket Association, Dallas Charities, and other groups.
- Served as a board member at Dallas Peace Center, Memnosyne Foundation, Dallas Home Builders Association, Dallas International, and other organizations.
- Commissioner at Mayor Taylor’s economic task force for South Dallas.
- Commissioner at large at the City of Carrollton, Texas.
- Lives in predominantly African American neighborhoods with a purpose. https://portofharlem.net/snippets19/sep252019-move-black.html
- Lived in the prime community of City of Carrollton – the Coyote Ridge