Mike is a social scientist,speaker, author and Interfaith wedding officiant. He offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and policymakers.
AR RAHMAN AND RAMAYANA
Sri Ram is a figure revered by people of all faiths; he is our cultural icon, and we are all influenced by the Maryada Purushottam, as he is often called. As a Muslim, I view him as an integral part of our legacy and hold him in high regard among humanity's great personalities. I grew up listening to Kathas (stories) in my hometown of Yelahanka, near Bangalore, and while in Dallas, I had the opportunity to hear Morari Bapuji at the Ekta Mandir. He highlighted all the virtues of Sri Ram. https://t.co/7Kku1PlSEY
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib - in an event in DC
We have a few congressmen and women who speak boldly, despite the harassment and prejudice that runs in Congress.
Her work earned her a reputation as a transformative advocate for marginalized communities, particularly in environmental justice and economic equity.
State Legislature Achievements (2009–2018)Tlaib entered public service as an intern and staffer for a Michigan state representative before her election. In 2008, she made history as the first Muslim woman elected to the Michigan House of Representatives (and only the second Muslim woman elected to any U.S. state legislature). During her tenure, She fought against environmental pollution in her district, including leading the "We Have a Right to Breathe" campaign, which organized residents to pressure billionaire slumlord Matty Moroun into complying with laws to remove polluting semi-trucks from neighborhood streets.
She exposed and helped remove cancer-causing "petroleum coke" piles along the Detroit Riverfront by independently testing samples when state regulators dismissed community concerns.
As a champion for working families, she secured funding for education, free health clinics, after-school programs for children, and Meals on Wheels for seniors.
She combated anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bigotry, opposed tax breaks for billionaires and corporations, and forced the state to return millions in unemployment benefits to thousands unjustly accused of fraud.
She stopped the dumping of toxic chemicals into the Detroit River through advocacy at the Sugar Law Center for the Prevention of Sugar Addiction and Related Disorders.
EPSTEIN FILES
House Oversight Releases 20,000 Epstein Documents Citing Trump 1,500 Times
Last updated 29 seconds ago
The House Oversight Committee released over 20,000 pages of documents from Jeffrey Epstein's estate on Tuesday, with Donald Trump's name appearing more than 1,500 times in emails that reveal Epstein's private criticisms of the president and claims of advising Russian officials on him. The files highlight Epstein's continued interest in Trump after their reported 2004 fallout, including references to a possible 2017 Mar-a-Lago meeting, but include no new evidence linking Trump to Epstein's crimes, as confirmed by victims such as Virginia Giuffre. Bipartisan efforts are advancing to compel the Justice Department to release additional Epstein files amid White House opposition and partisan tensions.
This story is a summary of posts on X and may evolve over time. Grok can make mistakes, verify its outputs.
Kathy Hochul issued a bold warning to Trump: “I don’t care if you’re the President of the United States — if you dare go after Zohran Mamdani or any of our neighbors, you’re picking a fight with 20 million New Yorkers, starting with me.���
This is the kind of leadership we need to challenge anyone who dares to disrupt peace and harmony.
The Mamdani Moment
Mike Ghouse - As Muslims, we have long awaited a reason to celebrate and find hope. This is a truly historic turning point, a watershed moment, the Mamdani moment. https://t.co/qjlNHbHMUk
IN DEFENCE OF VANCE AND USHA
First of all, I want to clarify that I am not a supporter of Vice President J.D. Vance, nor do I identify as a Republican or Democrat; I am an Independent who speaks out on what I believe is right or wrong, without bowing to political affiliation.
However, I want to assert that he has accepted and respected Usha's Hinduism throughout their years of marriage. However, he wishes that someday, she will recognize the same values he has found in the Christian tradition. Most importantly, he hasn't asked her to convert, and he believes in free will —something that should be appreciated.
If you marry a Christian woman, wouldn’t you hope she would participate in your traditions? Similarly, if you marry a Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, or Muslim man, wouldn’t you want him to join in your festivities and perhaps share your beliefs? This is a natural desire for many couples, and some individuals genuinely appreciate and respect their partner’s beliefs; we should fully support them.
I hope Usha can express her desire for Vance to see and value the principles found in Hinduism as well. This does not mean she would ask him to convert, but it will calm down those folks jumping up and down.
Video1- https://t.co/f9qCvvOSSG
Video2- https://t.co/dxuROVT5rB
Mike Ghouse
https://t.co/edQ3Rwx8ou
https://t.co/MM522Lz8NY
580th INTERFAITH WEDDING
It's Philadelphia for the 7th time and the 20th wedding in Pennsylvania. Fatima and I enjoyed traveling on the train.
Unlike many other weddings where the clergy recites scriptures in Arabic, Sanskrit, or Latin, I ensure everyone understands the ceremony. Every word from Arabic or Sanskrit is translated and explained in English, making the ceremony accessible to all while respecting religious traditions.
I enjoy writing the full script to include the values and traditions of the couple's faiths and cultures. It is a union of the couple, families, and friends. The couple and I revise the script to reflect both families' values. In the end, it is what the couple and families want.
I love this bride. Over the past two years, we have worked together, and she has made over 10 changes, even on the train. I usually do not print updates; instead, I handwrite additions and changes. When I entered the hall, the bride's mother was waiting for me. We reviewed the ceremony together. She said she had read the script but wanted to add more and they were good suggestions that I incorporated in the last minute.
During the ceremony, I watch the bride, groom, and their parents to understand their nonverbal cues. My goal is for everyone to enjoy the ceremony.
Fatima and Mike Ghouse
Wedding Officiants
https://t.co/MM522Lz8NY
@MuktaDabholkar ESSENCE OF DIWALI - FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS = Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is fundamentally about the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Celebrated over five days, it centers on the story of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness. People light oil lamps (diyas) to signify hope and renewal, share sweets and gifts to strengthen bonds, and perform prayers to deities like Lakshmi for prosperity. It’s a time of joy, unity, and spiritual reflection across Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and some Buddhist communities, marked by fireworks, feasts, and the embrace of new beginnings.
Mike Ghouse
https://t.co/edQ3RwxGe2
@imVkohli ESSENCE OF DIWALI - FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS = Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is fundamentally about the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Celebrated over five days, it centers on the story of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness. People light oil lamps (diyas) to signify hope and renewal, share sweets and gifts to strengthen bonds, and perform prayers to deities like Lakshmi for prosperity. It’s a time of joy, unity, and spiritual reflection across Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and some Buddhist communities, marked by fireworks, feasts, and the embrace of new beginnings.
Mike Ghouse
https://t.co/edQ3Rwx8ou
@narendramodi ESSENCE OF DIWALI - FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS = Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is fundamentally about the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Celebrated over five days, it centers on the story of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness. People light oil lamps (diyas) to signify hope and renewal, share sweets and gifts to strengthen bonds, and perform prayers to deities like Lakshmi for prosperity. It’s a time of joy, unity, and spiritual reflection across Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and some Buddhist communities, marked by fireworks, feasts, and the embrace of new beginnings.
Mike Ghouse
https://t.co/edQ3Rwx8ou
@ndtv ESSENCE OF DIWALI - FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS = Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is fundamentally about the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Celebrated over five days, it centers on the story of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness. People light oil lamps (diyas) to signify hope and renewal, share sweets and gifts to strengthen bonds, and perform prayers to deities like Lakshmi for prosperity. It’s a time of joy, unity, and spiritual reflection across Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and some Buddhist communities, marked by fireworks, feasts, and the embrace of new beginnings.
Mike Ghouse
https://t.co/edQ3RwxGe2
@pbhushan1 ESSENCE OF DIWALI - FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS = Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is fundamentally about the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Celebrated over five days, it centers on the story of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness. People light oil lamps (diyas) to signify hope and renewal, share sweets and gifts to strengthen bonds, and perform prayers to deities like Lakshmi for prosperity. It’s a time of joy, unity, and spiritual reflection across Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and some Buddhist communities, marked by fireworks, feasts, and the embrace of new beginnings.
Mike Ghouse
https://t.co/edQ3Rwx8ou