In actuality I deserve none of the thanks here. It started with a kind note from one good man to another:

From: Nathan Wilson <Nathan@fccshelby.org>
To: Michael Saahir <saahir@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Thu, August 18, 2011 1:24:13 PM
Subject: Please tell me what you think

Michael,

That article (see here and here) next was forwarded to me and others by Imam Mikal Saahir, my good friend and fellow student of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, with the note:

May the Peace that only G_d (Allah) can give be with you!  From Michael “Mikal” Saahir 

I in turn forwarded all that to my interfaith e-list. Soon, appreciation for Rev. Wilson began pouring in, as folks copied me their messages to him. I decided to archive some here, unedited (see below). But first, this addendum from Imam Saahir:

Here are the comments that reached me:

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I am so inspired by your article and more so by your courage to break the traditional interest-based boundaries that separate the human race. This Ramadan you and your family is in my prayers. Thank you for being unbiased and openminded. — Afifa

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DEAR REV NATHAN. MAY OUR LORD CREATOR OR THE HUMAN FAMILY KEEP BLESSING AND REWARD YOU FOR YOUR GOOD WORK. AS SALAAM ALAIKUM — ABDUL KARIM ALI

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Excellent!   We need this sort of interactive communication to make this a better world.   Best wishes for continued success in all your efforts. —  Hope P. Cramer

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Thanks for sharing.  The info is enlightening. — Rose Ann

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Thank you Rev. Wilson for the enlightening article, that CB Hanif forwarded to me, about Ramadan and the true Muslim’s love of peace, which is really another word for Islam. It is so much more effective coming from a Christian, and a priest at that. The use of your personal experience with the Muslim hiker, told simply but elegantly, made your comment worth its weight in gold. We need more like you to spread the message of peace. It is only through understanding responses like yours that we can overcome the hatred of those misguided 9/11 zealots and their counterparts in our own American society. My sincere thanks and congratulations. My God bless you. It is fpeople like you — Jews, Christians and Sabians — people who have “faith and do good deeds” that the Quran says “have nothing to fear in the hereafter.” — Gholam 

And last, my thanks to our Maker for Rev. Wilson, and for all of you.

— C.B. Hanif 

Marika offered the mike for others to present classic or original poems, and shared her own. We heard Robert Frost, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes and other favorites.

It’s impossible to do justice to Susan Gross’ adept delivery of the Kaylin Haught poem she shared. Giving due respect to copyright, I’ll share just this link:

God Says Yes To Me

Susan’s emphatic “Yes! Yes! Yes!,” and all the other beauty emanating from the mike, prompted me to rise and share a reminder: of how far our country has come since earlier troubled times — the days of assassinations of our leaders, of my huge crush on Angela Davis, of my buddies and me singing Black Panther Party songs at our high school football and basketball games — and how far we, humanity, have yet to go.

The Last Poets: On the Subway

(Two quick promotional notes: Next Sunday: Rev. Carol Yorke on “What Makes A Religious Home?” And with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan beginning this week, don’t miss my Aug. 28 talk on “What is Al-Islam?”)

— C.B. Hanif

What many who hold this view fail to recognize, is that they are equating Patriotism with Nationalism, patriotism’s evil twin, which though at first glance, might appear to be the same, is profoundly different.

My friend Richard Palermo delivered this timely, thought-provoking message during the July 3, 2011 Sunday service at the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches.

I thought it deserving of wider distribution, and share it without further comment for those who may appreciate it as I did.

PATRIOTISM

Today, on the eve of July 4^th, the subject of patriotism is a very appropriate one. What is patriotism? Is it simply the pride, tingling and welling tears we sometimes experience when listening to our National Anthem, watching our flag fluttering in a parade, or hearing a rousing speech? In short, is it a purely emotional response to chauvinistic stimuli? “Yankee Doodle Dandy” Or is patriotism something more complex, containing both an emotional, and an intellectual component?

The only book length philosophical study of the subject, written in 1993 by Stephan Nathanson, defines patriotism as “Love of one’s country, identification with it, and special concern for its well being and that of its compatriots.”

I would qualify that statement by saying that patriotism is love of one’s country because the principles which engendered that country were consistent with universal moral philosophy, and that an unbiased examination of its history demonstrates that it has, to a reasonable extent, manifested those principles in its actions.

Over time, there has always existed among certain people, particularly those of liberal persuasion, an animus towards patriotism, a belief that it fosters aggression, and blinds us to the negative aspects of our nation’s policies. What many who hold this view fail to recognize, is that they are equating Patriotism with Nationalism, patriotism’s evil twin, which though at first glance, might appear to be the same, is profoundly different.

How do we distinguish between the two? George Orwell contrasted the differences in terms of aggressive vs. defensive attitudes. “Nationalism,” he wrote, “is about power; its adherents want to acquire as much power and prestige as possible for their nation, in which they submerge their individuality. And so while it is accordingly aggressive, patriotism is
defensive: it is a devotion to a particular place and a way of life one thinks best, but has no wish to forcibly impose on others.”

Many thinkers throughout the ages have expressed vastly different views on patriotism. Perhaps the best known, and most misunderstood, is Samuel Johnson’s definition of patriotism as: “the last refuge of a scoundrel.” Contrary to popular belief, Johnson was not denigrating patriotism, but rather indicting those who used it falsely, as a way of obfuscating or justifying their own immoral behavior.

Norman Thomas called patriotism “that most complex of motives,” and Leo Tolstoy declared patriotism to be “both stupid and immoral.” Stupid, said Tolstoy, because every patriot holds his country to be the best of all, whereas only one country can qualify, and immoral, because it enjoins us to promote our country’s interests at the expense of all other countries, by any means, including war, and is thus at odds with the golden rule. It can be argued here that Tolstoy, like many others, was equating Patriotism with Nationalism.

So what is the moral standing of patriotism? Is it a contradiction of a major tradition in moral Philosophy which defines morality as essentially universal and impartial, and, therefore, seems to rule out local attachment and loyalty? Or is it essentially meaningless and trivial, “nothing more than the love of an ass for its stall,” as one cynical observer claimed. Or can patriotism be something noble that is consistent with the major traditions of moral philosophy. It all depends, does it not, on the nature and basis of one’s patriotism?

As Americans, are we justified in believing that our country’s core values, and many of its achievements were based on noble and uplifting human ideas? I say we are; the rights and freedoms that are incorporated in our Constitution, have universal appeal, have been the driving force of many of our nation’s achievements.

Those same core values insured that a raw Republic espousing egalitarian concepts in an age of Royalty, would survive and prosper, beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. “My Country Tis of Thee”

I mentioned before that our patriotism must also be subjected to an unbiased examination of our country’s past and present record, in order to determine whether it has lived up to the standards of moral excellence established by its creators.

It is, of course, impossible to do this without finding numerous instances where the underlying principles of our great Republic were traduced, including unjust wars, abuse of individuals and minorities, systemic corruption, imperialism, and oligarchic control of our national policies. Nations, however, are comprised of people, and people are always and everywhere flawed, so it should not surprise or unduly discourage us to realize that the United States of America has had, and continues to have its dark moments.

However, a realistic evaluation of our history, particularly if undertaken in comparison to that of other great powers, would reveal that despite the threats imposed upon it by foreign enemies, and the catastrophes imposed upon it by domestic fools, thieves, and liars, our nation has been the most powerful force for good on earth, and remains, still, a template for those seeking freedom, safety, and economic opportunity.

And when we feel compelled to cite instances where the Government of these United States has violated its own Constitution, neglected its citizens, or waged an aggressive and immoral foreign policy, we need to stop and consider the monumental force for good in the world, that it has been, as well. Travel back with me a hundred years.

The 20th Century, the bloodiest in recorded history, ushered in German Militarism which threatened all of Europe, and resulted in the Great War of 1914 -18, in which 9 million died. After almost four years of static, deadly struggle, in the Spring of 1918, the German Army launched a highly successful offensive which may well have achieved victory, if not for the arrival at that crucial time, of the Americans, whose intervention assured an Allied victory. Americans entered and left that war with no territorial ambitions. “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again”

The intervening years between the two World Wars, saw the emergence of two of the most powerful, barbaric and malignant political philosophies in human history, Fascism, and Soviet Communism. In 1939, the world was plunged into another cataclysmic disaster lasting six years and consuming 60 million lives. The intervention of the United States in Europe, along with its almost single-handed defeat of aggressive Japanese Militarism assured an Allied victory against world Fascism. And once again, the U.S. harbored no territorial ambitions. “American Patrol”

At the end of that war every major nation involved in it, lay in ruins, both structurally and economically; every nation that is except one, ours. We were king of the hill, our infrastructure was intact, our economy, and industrial strength, healthier than they’d ever been. Militarily we were supreme, the only nation in possession of atomic weapons. Our troops, stationed around the globe, also occupied large portions of Germany, and the whole of Japan. We could have declared ourselves masters of the world.

Instead, we joined in forming the United Nations, created the Marshall Plan to save Europe from starvation and further ruin, and ruled our defeated enemies with benevolence encouraging them to create their own democracies, and re-establish healthy economies. It is no accident that West Germany and Japan became two of the most prosperous democracies in the world during the post war period. Looking back on this monumental period of world history, and the splendid role the U.S. played in it, it is difficult to comprehend how a citizen of this nation could not feel patriotic, even up to this day and beyond.

By the end of WW11 we knew that the Soviet Union had replaced Nazi Germany as the greatest threat to democracy and world peace, but we hoped that this could change, peacefully, that the new world organization, the United Nations could serve as a mediator for peaceful resolution of disputes. Those hopes were soon shown to be ingenuous, and for the next 44 years world peace, such as it was, was maintained by the terrifying Dr. Strangelove prospect of nuclear annihilation. “We’ll Meet Again”

Throughout these decades, our fears of the Red Menace led us to perpetrate numerous breaches of our Constitution. Here at home McCarthyism crawled out from under the rock of our fears and paranoia to persecute, and ruin innocent Americans, and our foreign policy was often skewed, embracing tin pot tyrants around the world because of their alleged anti-Communism. Two wars were fought, Korea and Vietnam, the former a necessary one, the latter a tragically misguided one. Neither, however, was fought for economic or territorial gain.

In the late 80s, after being held at bay for almost a half century by the prospect of confronting American arms, Communism imploded, leaving the U.S. as the world’s single superpower, and since that point in time, despite the depredations of a group of Middle Eastern psychopaths, most of the damage done to our Republic has occurred from within.

Since the end of the Cold War, it has become fashionable among some, to make unfavorable comparisons between the U.S. and the much vaunted Western European Social Democracies. While some of these comparisons, like those relating to health care, are valid, it would do us well to remember that, to a significant extent, countries like Norway, Denmark, and France, among others, were able to spend the last 65 years morphing into their present iterations, because they were under the protection of their American allies for all that time, and did not have to spend a huge percentage of their GDP for military purposes.

I said earlier that this country remains a template for those seeking safety and economic opportunity. My parents were first generation Americans, the children of immigrants. Their education was, by virtue of economic necessity, limited to grade school or less. Despite this they were able to build decent lives for themselves, and live to see their children obtain graduate degrees, and we were not unusual; many of my relatives, friends, and contemporaries could relate the same kind of story from grade school to grad school; in a single generation, a virtual socio-economic quantum leap forward took place. I defy anyone to name another nation where such opportunity exists, even today.

Furthermore, within the context of educational opportunity, we are the only major nation that I know of that, permits people 2^nd, and even 3^rd chances. Americans can acquire advanced education at virtually any age. One could not do that in England or France, where a child’s educational destiny is determined by age 16.

Despite the serious political and economic problems inherent in contemporary American Society, masses of people still flock to this country, seeking a better life; and, when you hear our Government being assailed for its inept handling of the illegal immigration problem, stop and remember that since the historic revisions of our immigration laws from the 1960s through the 90s, no modern industrialized nation has come close to accepting the vast number of legal immigrants that we do. “This Land is Your Land”

Finally, let me say this. The dark moments in American history when our Government has breached individual liberties, have a positive corollary. Historically, a healthy dose of retrospective shame, the genius of our independent judiciary, and above all the resilience of our Constitution, have helped insure that any statutes or policies rashly undertaken while in the grip of fear, such as the cold war witch hunts, don’t survive for long. The rule of law ultimately prevails; and, this was true even in reference to the most shameful chapter in our History, the obscene evil of slavery and racism.

The former, slavery, was redeemed by the blood of 600,000 young Americans killed and perhaps two million maimed; and, while we still have a long way to go, the success of our efforts to rectify the latter, racism, can best be evaluated by the reality of a President of African-American heritage occupying the White House. “Battle Hymn of the Republic”

We are, today, in the midst of another dark moment, mired down in the longest war in our history with little expectation of success, fundamental freedoms taken away in the aftermath of 9/11 have still not been restored. Oligarchs exert enormous influence on our policies by virtue of their wealth and political contributions, and ultraconservative demagogic politicians supported by large numbers of our fellow citizens, who are most often misinformed or ignorant, wish to take us back to the Robber Baron era.

Greed and lack of oversight have left our economy in tatters, excessive materialism has created a cheap celebrity culture, and many of the gains painfully acquired by American Labor over decades of strife, have been degraded and reversed. The morale and determination of the American people is being steadily eroded, while the obscenely wealthy few continue amassing even more wealth.

This is, in short, an optimum time when there is a need for patriots to come forward and announce “not in my country you won’t” in whatever ways they can.

And so, I would urge you to dwell, not on the dark moments, but on what America was intended to mean, and what it has meant to you and yours, and, in doing so, remember, always, that a true American patriot is not defined by stickers exhorting us to “support our troops,” or flag pins in lapels, but by their belief in the principles on which this nation was created. “America the Beautiful”

In closing, let me repeat that a true American patriot is one who believes in the principles on which this country was created. Declaring yourself a patriot, therefore, should not be difficult, particularly for those here today, because if the essence of our Constitution were distilled into a single sentence, might it not sound something like: “Justice, Equity and Compassion in Human Relations?”

Members of the Israeli Scouts Friendship Caravan performed recently at Abbey Delray North.

—  from my latest InterFaith21 essay in The Coastal Star.

"Proud Papa" Shelly Weil, who for 38 years has been hosting the exemplary cultural program.

More scenes:

— C.B. Hanif

Great Connections (R-L): Judy Bonner of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches, and Lume Cargille of the Focolare Movement.

Thanks to the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches — “the congregation of loving hearts, open minds and helping hands” — and the venue for today’s DVD & Discussion session among more than 30 area folks: UU, Jewish, Focolare and other Christians, Baha’i, Muslims and others.

Thanks for the Focolare video, “Journeying Together,” featuring the 1999 Interreligious Assembly of more than 20 different spiritual traditions.

Thanks for the folks who found this important enough to take the time, for the attentiveness to the video — and for the sharing afterward.

Thanks for all our friends and well-wishers who share this interest, but could not be present. And thanks to my New Africa of the Palm Beaches colleagues for providing the backbone of this collaborative interfaith effort.

As always, I learned a lot. But it’s the conversations around the room at the conclusion, the relations built between folks of varied ethnicities, cultures and spiritual traditions — most of whom didn’t know each other when they entered the room — and the collaborative, community building projects that ensue, that I always find most rewarding.

As we continue to expand the network of friendship, and widen the circle of unity, here are more scenes.

Oh, and thanks to my sweetie, Aneesha, for capturing most of them :

— C.B. Hanif

On a wonderful Saturday, June 18, an amazingly diverse, overflow crowd of the South Florida Muslim community, family, friends and students paid last respects to Judith Sabreen Sharif (October 17, 1947 – June 16, 2011), of the Republic of Panama, Brooklyn and Miami.

If there was any doubt how beloved was this wife, mother, businesswoman, teacher and education chair of The International League of Muslim Women’s South Florida Chapter,  a double sign appeared as the sun set at Miami’s Masjid Ibrahim:

The spiritual significance? One interpretation might be two pots of gold at the rainbow’s end. A better interpretation: good and more good, a double portion of the Mercy and Peace that our Maker has promised — for our dear Sister Judith, and us for whom she so faithfully and tirelessly cared.

More scenes:

— C.B. Hanif

Rabbi Howard Shapiro, Imam C.B. Hanif and Tom O'Brien at Florida Atlantic University's Lifelong Learning Society. More scenes and upcoming area events below.

What a joy — as one may glean from the additional photos at the end of this post — to share perspectives on Islam and Muslims for The Lifelong Learning Society at Florida Atlantic University’s Honors Campus in Jupiter.

Deep gratitude to Rabbi Howard Shapiro and Tom O’Brien, my hosts and co-presenters for the very rewarding Feb. 10 session, part of their World’s Religions series. A slide featured during our presentation stated: “Dialogue Requires Trust.” My kind hosts fostered both. Our high-intelligence-quotient, capacity audience also was wonderful, as was the LLS staff.

As always, there is never enough time for all the questions, or for all that could be said. But once again, new friends were made. Insha’Allah — G-d Willing — we’ll be sharing and caring again soon, as we expand the circle of Unity.

Upcoming:

Feb. 20: I serve as moderator for “Where Malcolm X was heading,” 2-4 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches, 900 Brandywine Rd, WPB 33409. A timely Black History Month opportunity to hear unique insights on a key period of Muslim American history from folks who lived it. This session continues New Africa of the Palm Beaches‘ monthly forums featuring remarkable cultural diversity and exemplary models for interaction and cooperation. More details here.

Feb. 27: “Mother of (MLK) Nation,” my tribute to Lil Cohen, longtime local champion of peace and justice, who recently died in her late 90s. Women’s Int’l League for Peace and Freedom luncheon, 2 p.m. at the Jasmine Thai Restaurant, 3897 N Haverhill Rd, WPB 33417, 561-689-5999.

Feb. 28: The Women’s Circle annual “Circle of Hope” gala fundraising dinner. Support the nonprofit organization in “Celebrating a Decade of Caring“ for needy women, with the Most Reverend Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of the Diocese of Palm Beach, emcee Frank Cerabino of The Palm Beach Post and saxophonist Will Bridges, 6:30 p.m. at Benvenuto Restaurant, Boynton Beach. Call 561-244-7627, ext. 105.

March 17: Colleagues and I share Social Justice/Social Action perspectives from various spiritual traditions, 6:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches, 635 Prosperity Farms Rd, NPB 33408, 561-627-6105.

March 20: For “Constantine’s Sword,” I again am moderator as New Africa of the Palm Beaches returns to its usual DVD & Discussion format. James Carroll’s compelling documentary exposes religiously inspired violence and intolerance in his personal search for a better future, 2-4 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches.

March 21: I address “Current Trends in Islam” as part of the American Jewish Committee of Palm Beach County’s series of lectures on “Understanding Islam,” 7-9 p.m. at Temple Beth David, 4657 Hood Rd, PB Gardens 33418. Register online or call the AJC office at 561-994-7286.

With my dear friend and teacher Tom O'Brien.

Rabbi Shapiro

(Again thanking our Maker for my dear Aneesha’s loving support — including the camera work.)

— C.B. Hanif

Welcoming all to the monthly "Model Dialogue" programs is NAPB's organizing team: (R-L): Aneesha Hanif, C.B. Hanif, Jaabir Muhammad, Otis Salahuddin.

New Africa of the Palm Beaches’ “Model Dialogue” series continues with:

“Where Malcolm X was heading…”

Sunday, Feb. 20, 2-4 p.m.

In recognition of Black History Month and on the anniversary of the assassination of El Hajji Malik Shabazz, a retrospective: Imam Jaabir Muhammad shares unique experiences from the original Nation of Islam and unique insight on Muslim Americans today.

Imam Jaabir Muhammad

NEXT:

“Constantine’s Sword”

Sunday, March 20, 2-4 p.m.

James Carroll’s compelling documentary exposes religiously inspired violence and intolerance in his personal search for a better future.

AND:

10^th Annual Family Interfaith Picnic

Sunday, April 17, 2-4 p.m.

(Dyer Park, West Palm Beach. More details to come.)

Programs 2-4 p.m. at

The United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches

900 Brandywine Road, West Palm Beach 33409

Moderator: C.B. Hanif, multimedia journalist

No admission fee; donations accepted

Join our gatherings featuring remarkable cultural diversity and exemplary models for interaction and cooperation.

Directions from I-95: Exit #71 west onto Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Turn right at third traffic light and left at stop sign. UMCPB is on left. More information call 561-309-5476.

BELOW: Scenes from last month’s highly enlightening “From King to…Cosby?” forum, Jan. 23., which featured the unique perspective of Edith Bush, executive director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Coordinating Committee, 2011 recipient of Palm Beach State College’s prestigious MLK Individual Leadership Award.

(L-R): Edith Bush and Hope Kramer, Jane Tierney and Tee Jackson.

Ms. Bush and Hanif with Robert Hazard.

— C.B. Hanif

(L-R): Rabbi David Steinhardt of B'nai Torah Congregation, C.B. Hanif of New Africa of the Palm Beaches, and the Rev. Andrew Sherman, our host, at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca Raton.

I’m thanking our Maker for the Rev. Andrew Sherman and his St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church congregation of Boca Raton, for Rabbi David Steinhardt of the nearby B’nai Torah Congregation, and for all who gathered for last night’s “Children of Abraham” event to which I was invited to speak.

The evening’s wonderful spirit seemed to me a tremendous tribute to Rev. Sherman’s stewardship, to his and Rabbi Steinhardt’s G-d given warmth, wit and wisdom, as well as to the quest for understanding and unity among those present.

Thanks again to all who, after the program, shared your kinds words of encouragement, unity and love. Insha’Allah — G-d Willing — we’ll meet again soon.

Meanwhile I promised to a link to Lesley Hazelton’s wonderful TED video, “On reading the Koran,” the subject of my previous post.

Enjoy. Peace & Blessings. More St. Gregory’s scenes:

Speaking to the capacity audience regarding our shared prophetic tradition, Rev. Sherman described the prophets as not only recipients and speakers of G-d's Word — they became the embodiment as well as the bearers of G-d's Word.

The Golden Age is not in the beginning of history, Rabbi Steinhardt reminded us — it's in the future.

Among other verses, I quoted the Quran 3:84, in which we are reminded to say: "We believe in G-d, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to G-d do we bow our will ( in Islam)."

For the audience's questions, never enough time.

But the conversations...

The information shared...

The exchanges...

And new friendships forged...

Were a blessing.

Rabbi Steinhardt, Rev. Sherman and Carl House.

A hug of unity from Ruben Cedeno, a dear friend from the worldwide Christian lay movement, the Focolare.

Reuben, Hanif and Carl House, who was instrumental in my invitation to St. Gregory's.

David Cominole, Hanif, Marilyn Athey.

— C.B. Hanif

I also reminded Ray of our monthly interfaith gatherings that provide opportunities for folks to get together in a comfortable, refreshing, respectful and thoughtful atmosphere to meet real people of all stripes, ask questions, share ideas, learn about and from each other and help jettison stereotypes and bigotry.

Coming up next, Muslims, Christians & All in Model Interfaith Dialogue and Unity: The Interfaith Alliance video, “Vision of Creating Community,” featuring San Diego’s Masjidul Taqwa and the Focolare Movement, continues the ongoing DVD & Discussion series, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2-4 pm, at the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches, 900 Brandywine Road, West Palm Beach 33409. Organized by New Africa of the Palm Beaches with support of local clergy and lay friends. These monthly interfaith gatherings provide opportunities to transcend religious, ethnic and cultural divisions, by learning from and about each other, while developing exemplary models for human interaction and cooperation. More info: 561-309-5476.

Yep, still better to light a candle than curse the darkness.

— C.B. Hanif