HOME :: Our Mission is to educate, entertain and invoke critical thinking in creating a cohesive environment to work, socialize and function effectively through the medium of Poetry. Our purpose is to establish a new stream of Pluralism poetry in Urdu and Hindi languages - indeed, it is the 2nd most spoken language in the world. Mike Ghouse, Foundation for Pluralism, Studies in Pluralistic societies


Showing posts with label Dr. Amer Suleman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dr. Amer Suleman. Show all posts

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Urdu Ghar Louisville, Kentucky

URDU GHAR LOUISVILLE
www.UrduHindi.net

Each one of us is deeply attached to our culture, and as such we are always pulled towards it. One of the many cultural manifestations is through the language, whatever that language may be. We are home in the language that has been a major part of our childhood and adolescence.

I am sure your attachment to your language is expressed in many ways. Mine is done by scribbling something or the other in Urdu while I am on the phone or just between holds on the phone, usually poetry and sometimes even my speech in English, but in Urdu script.  I have figured out how to write in typical Indian/Pakistani, Persian and Arabic style of letters.   I still do my math, additions, subtractions, divisions and multiplications in Urdu pahaday.
There was a craving to be affiliated with the linguistic gatherings. Thank God for the International Hindi Association, a fine organization and I became a life member, and also a life member of Mallige Kannada Sangha (Kannada Language). We always had an organization called Bazm-e-Urdu in Dallas, but it merely focused on Mushaeray and not on sit-down exchanges nor did it have membership as an expression of belonging.

The tishinagi (thirst) finally saw fulfillment when I joined Urdu Ghar in Dallas, started and run by Dr. Amer Suleman. What is greater is, it is an inclusive informal organization where Urdu Speaking Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and others come together to speak, read, write and listen to in Urdu, more will be joining as we go further.

It’s a social gathering with Urdu as a common denominator. Thanks to Yasmeen’s friends in Louisville, Kentucky.  About 12 of us started our first gathering on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, and we hope to carry this once a month at different homes or at our home.

Dr. Amer Suleman has set a few good standards, and we will follow the same culture– it is all about freedom,  and started by reading the same Rahnuma Usools (guiding principles).  We request an RSVP in advance so that the host (take turns) can plan on arranging tea, snacks, fruits or veggies and refreshments or it can be shared.  No dinner and no mehman-pleasing-cooking, as it is not viable in the long haul. The simpler the gatherings, the sustainable they become.

Let’s plan on meeting on Wednesday, August 27 at our house in Jeffersonville or its open to be hosted by any one. You can text me your RSVP to (214) 325-1916 and let's be sensitive to our hosts. We will meet on time at 7:00 PM and close the meeting on time at 9:30 PM (less than desi movie).  Let this social gathering be a joy and respectful of every one's time, otherwise it becomes  a burden.  







Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Appreciation Dinner with my Poet friends in Urdu and Hindi languages


Appreciation Luncheon and Dinner for Poetry friends
Website: www.UrduHindi.net

Thanks to Saeed Qureshi Saheb and Raja Khanzada Saheb for thier reports. Links appended below.

Click the pictures to see large version.
An open heart surgery was scheduled for me on 11/12/13 – that did not happen, thanks to my friends Dr. Harbans Lal and Dr. Amer Suleman who encouraged and facilitated an alternative; a balloon and the stent. I was in and out and Dr. Taysir Jarrah was incredibly efficient, and I did not even feel that something was done to me. Last Friday, I had my check up and Dr. Taysir Jarrah said all looks to be fine, I am breathing better, lungs are taking full air, and the EKG showed even heart beat.

I had luncheons to appreciate the friends who have been good to me all these years and then a dinner to appreciate my friends from the poetry circles. I have written enough about it, and now the pictures. 

Thanks to Zia Khan my friend for taking and sharing these pictures. I am posting the pictures I have recieved, I know several more pictures are missing. If any one has pictures other than these, please share.

The dinner turned out to be a good poetry session. Here are the pictures from Dinner and I appreciate each one of the poet for sharing their poetry.  Attached below is a write up by Saeed Qureshi Saheb.

Click the pictures to see large version. 
thanks to friends
D.D. Maini
 Yasmeen and Mike Ghouse
 Mike Ghouse
 Javed Rashid
 Raja Zahid Khanzada
 Dr. Hyder
 Shah Alam Siddiqi
 Masood Qazi
 Muhammad Ali
 Dr. Kundawala
 Aditya Singh
 Zohra Chisti
 Maliha Durrani
 Mike Ghouse
 Anand Punjabi
 Noor Amrohvi
 Surinder Mittal
 Samina Ali
Younuz Ijaz
 Dr. Harbans Lal
Dr. Amer Suleman
 Group Picture taken as an after thought.

Thank you, please mark your Calendar for Saturday, March 29, 2014 for another Mushaera/ Sammelan on Pluralism theme. The details are above on the right hand side column.  This website is www.UrduHindi.net  

Saeed Qureshi Saheb writes this:
Appreciation Dinner for Poetry Friends

Reported by Saeed Qureshi




This was the logo of the dinner-cum Mushaira hosted by famous humanist Jinab Mike Ghouse on the evening of November 6 instant at the Funasia Asia cultural center. He had invited a select circle of his friends and well-wishers to this very enjoyable and culturally rich assemblage. This was the second Mushaira hosted by Mike Sahib. It was blazoned with such illustrious themes as pluralism, humanism and unity in diversity. The third Mushaira in the row is due in March next as was also announced this evening. 


The proceedings lasted till midnight and came to a close on the group photo session. A sumptuous dinner was served before the start of the much waited Mushaira. The menu of dinner among other delicious items had an additional dish that we call “curry” in our Urdu or Hindi diction. It was very deliciously and diligently cooked. It was the most sought-after item of that splendid and enjoyable evening. 


Those among poets who turned out to attend this unique evening were Yunus Ijaz, Shah Alam, Qazi Masood, Saeed Qureshi, Zohra Chishti, Dr Shamsa, Mrs. Nadir Durrani, Dr. Amir Suleman, Javed Rashid, Noor Amrohvi, Mr. S.K.Mittal and D.D. Maini. A local famous female poetess Naheed Shah was incidentally in Pakistan so his husband Mr. Ali read some the verses from her poetry. Zahid Akhtar Khanzada, a prominent journalist was also present on this auspicious occasion.


There was no ascending or descending order as is usually followed in the traditional Mushairas. According to that order, the poets are called to the podium by virtue of their seniority or fame in poetry. So such order starts from the junior most and ends at the senior most. But delightfully this strait jacket was set aside and that was the most alluring hallmark of this also a very enchanting Mushaira. 


Besides poetry presentation there was a joke and tidbits’ session that injected a jovial, buoyant and rather piquant feature into the already vibrant environment of this pleasant company. Dr. Harbans Lal’s joke was outstanding and unleashed a roar of laughter among the audience.


I would mention the salient points of the speech of the host Mr. Mike Ghouse in which he thanked the guests for coming all the way to attend this function. He spoke at length describing the ordeals through which he had gone as a result of a sudden heart attack last July. He thanked Dr. Suleman for a timely arrangement for the surgery that was instrumental in saving his life. His next bypass surgery is schedule in November next year. The speakers one after another, complimented Mr. Mike for a new lease of life and prayed and hoped that like many survivors of heart attack, he would also live longer for many years.


Let me add that Mr. Mike Ghouse is a reputed and celebrated participant in TV talk shows and a popular speaker in religious and social congregations and conventions from time to time. He is an embodiment of civility and humility and is soft spoken. His profile as given in his blogs is quite impressive and I have the honor to reproduce a part of that hereunder.

“Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work and social settings. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a strong presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.”

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Thank you Raja Zahid Khanzada for reporting in several of your newspapers
https://www.facebook.com/zahid.khanzada/timeline/story?ut=43&wstart=0&wend=1388563199&hash=4985553385819304129&pagefilter=3