IX Annual Unity Day Update

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162 PICTURES FROM THE UNITY DAY

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157631762797919/show/

CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT ABOUT UNITY DAY - IN 50 SECONDS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Wxo-vSMjc&feature=player_embedded 

Full length video and individual videos will be posted by Thanksgiving 2012

VIII ANNUAL UNITY DAY AWARDS
we are committed to build a cohesive America

Americans together building a Cohesive America.

We are gathered today for a singular purpose, to be together as Americans and rededicate our pledge to the peace, prosperity and security of our nation.

9th Annual Unity Day USA
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
11:30 AM -1:30 PM
Unity of Dallas,
6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75230

Awards to Seven Individuals for building bridges &
Two outstanding communities for their service

We appreciate your participation along with our Marines,Mayors, Fire & Police Chiefs, Religious, Secular and civicleaders, Native Americans and people from different walks of life , races & traditions.

We appreciate the in-kind and financial support from Laura Sutherland of Unity of Dallas, John Hammond and Shabnam Modgil of FunAsia, Farooq  Hemani, Pastor George Mason, Dr. Basheer Ahmed, The Sikh Community, Shaukat Gaziani, Dr. Harbans Lal, Universal Peace Federation, Dr. Nauman Anwar, Len Ellis, Akram Syed, Pastor Bob Roberts and possibly you.

Please donate to defray the cost of the event at:

http://AmericaTogetherFoundation.com/donate/

PLURALIST AWARDS TO INDIVIDUALS

Please note that the award plaques confer the title of “Pluralist” to each one of the individual recipients we are recognizing today. Pluralist is some one who believes in living his own life and letting others live theirs.

Hon. Vivian Castleberry
by: Carol Crabtree Donavan; presented by: Bob Mong

Hon. Madan Goyal
by: Akram Syed; presented by: Mayor Stephen Terrell

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker
by: Mike Ghouse; presented by: Fire Chief John Murphy

Imam Yaseen Shaikh
by: Mike Ghouse; presented by: Mayor pro tem Laura Maczka

Dr. Cheryl Gray Kimberling
by: Dr. Basheer Ahmed; presented by: Mayor Marco Mejia

Hon. William McKenzie
by:  Bob Mong; presented by: Mayor Bob Townsend

Hon. Peter Stewart, it’s a life time achievement
by: Rev. Bill Matthews; presented by:  Mayor Bill Glancy

Pluralism is not a religion, it is not a mish-mash of religions, it is not even an effort to bring religions together. It is simply respecting who you are, as you are created by same process (God) as every one else. It is an attitude of finding ways to co-exist with least conflicts.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT

Individuals who will donate over $100.00 will be listed on the website for their support at www.UnityDayUSA.com. Those who contributed after this book is compiled will also be listed at the site.

You can mail the check to America Together Foundation at 2665 Villa Creek Dr, Suite 206, Dallas, TX 75234.  or donate at:
http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/

COMMUNITY AWARDS

It is our duty to " honor and cherish individuals " who have dedicated their lives to building bridges among Americans. Their pioneering spirit in facilitating communities to know and to respect each other is appreciated by the people of Dallas/ Fort Worth.

On this day, we appreciate and celebrate their contributions towards building a cohesive America, where no one has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other.

This year we are appreciating seven individuals who have made a difference in our communities. They have gone beyond their own cocoon and reached out many others.  Over the years we have admired 22 such individuals who are listed in the following pages.

We have appreciated the Jewish Community for doing their work of Tikkun Olam (Repairing the world), Muslims for the extraordinary efforts after 9/11, the African Americans for bringing a major change to America; the passing of the civil rights act. Indeed, most of the Asian and African immigrants are here today because of Martin Luther King Jr’s work.  

This year’s community awards go to two distinct communities;

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community 

THE AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY

“In recognition of your work in building a cohesive America, and pronouncing that we are all in this together by sharing your blood with fellow Americans. Your community's goal of donating 10,000 pints of blood last year, was achieved as you collected 11,800 pints of blood on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  This year you have a goal of 11,000 pints of blood to donate. The people of Dallas/Fort Worth greatly appreciate your effort in building bridges through the bond of blood.

THE SIKH COMMUNITY 

The plaque reads, “In recognition of your work in reaffirming the right values when tragedy befalls the community, and indeed, your response to the Wisconsin Gurudwara massacre was exemplary and reflects the teachings of the Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and every one of the spiritual masters from Zarathustra, Confucius, Moses, Krishna, Mahavira, Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Baha'u'llah, and other great spiritual masters. Your leadership in building a cohesive America is greatly appreciated by all.

Read by: Mike Ghouse; presented by: Mayor Bob Townsend

The Sikh Community of Dallas
(One Award– different communities)

by: Sardar Mike Ghouse

1. Gurdwara Akaljot Sahab – Serving One Spirit in One World
Recipient Dr. Gurdarshan Singh Brar
Presented by State Rep Stefani Carter

2. Gurdwara Sikh Temple of North Texas – Serving Humanity as One
Recipient Sardar Dyal Singh Sain
Presented by Allen Mayor Steven Terrell

3. Gurdwara Singh Sabha of North Texas
Recipient Sardar Harnam Singh
Presented by: Garland Fire Chief Raymond Knight

4. DFW SIKHS – Serving Inter-religious Engagement
Recipient Dr. Harbans Lal
Presented by Richardson Mayor Bob Townsend

5. Gurdwara Sikh Sangat
Recipient Neelam Kaur
Presented by Lancaster Mayor Pro tem Marco Mejia

6. UNITED SIKHS – “For Recognizing the Human Race as One & Ensuring that Human Dignity and Social Justice Prevail.”
Recipient Sardar Gurinder Singh
Presented by Carrollton Police Chief Rex Redden

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net 

Annual Awards - Awardees

It is our duty to honor and cherish individuals  who have dedicated their lives to building bridges  among Americans. Their pioneering spirit in facilitating communities to know each other and to respect each other is appreciated by the people of Dallas/ Fort Worth. On this day, we appreciate and celebrate their contributions towards building a cohesive America, where no one has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other.  Indeed that was the work of all the prophets, messengers and peace makers.  

On this day, the Unity day USA, we appreciate and celebrate their contributions of the following individuals (last seven years) who have been recognized for their contributions in making Dallas/ Fort Worth  a better for every one of us.  

We are pleased to share the names of the individuals in the last seven years;

Rev. Bill Matthews, 

Hon. Len Ellis, 

Hon. MaryAnn Thompson-Frenk,

Dr. Basheer Ahmed, 

Pastor George Mason, 

Dr. Harbans Lal,

Hon. Muriel Pinkus, 

Dr. Imam Zia Shaikh, 

Rev. Bob Roberts,

Bishop Mark Hernandez, 

Hon. Jeff Weiss, 

Hon. Bob Ray Sanders

Hon. Julie Ann Turner, 

Hon. John Hammond, 

Hon. Jonathan Halsey,

Hon. Steve Blow, 

Dr. Rev. Petra Weldes, 

Hon. Marzuk Jaami 
Hon. Alexis Yancey

Hon. Late Elliott Dlin, 

Dr. Robert Hunt, 

Hon. Sam Hodges, 

Hon. Daisy Khan

This year we are recognizing 7 Individuals as Pluralists by the Foundation for Pluralism and America Together Foundation.  A pluralist is one who respects the otherness of others and accepts the God given uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us. 

Please join us on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 11:30 AM at the Unity Church of Dallas on Forest Lane in Dallas. Details on home page. 

YOUR ORGANIZATION

If you wish to be listed as a participating organization in the event, please share the Name of your organization and the web address. In the past we had 90 participant organizations. We hope to reach with 100 organizations this time.

TRAILER OF THE FILM: IS THIS THE AMERICA YOU WANT? 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMXsTo4VYh8&feature=youtu.be

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

If you have the time, please consider donating funds to defray cost of the event. All names over $100 will be announced on the day of the event. click the following link and do the needful - http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/.

I will be calling on you, or you can call me. The public invitation is at www.UnityDayUSA.com that you could share with your family, friends and associates.

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 - talk or text