If I have met a true pluralist – a person who has a total open mind, I would have to say that it is Mike Ghouse. Everything he does, be it Cricket, the radio program “wisdom of religion”, weekly newsletter, Dallas calendar or just about anything he does, you see an all inclusive, all embracing and an all caring person in him. Mike calls himself, a boundless person.
His life revolve around the mission to promote goodwill amongst peoples of different affiliations, be it religious, nationalistic, racial, and linguistic or any other uniqueness. He believes that if we can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness to each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. His website is a reflection of his personality, and is simply designed for achieving this mission. It is quite an extensive portal: www.mikeghouse.net . He believes in the divinity of all religions, and certainly emphasizes that it is the individuals that are the problem in the world and never their religion. Ego is the root cause of all evil and that is the chief reason “all” religions ask you to keep your ego outside the place of worship when you enter it. You are invited to check out the Pluralism page of the website. www.mikeghouse.net/pluralism.html or www.foundationforpluralism.com
As I look around his circle of friends and associates, I see that I am not the only one who venerates him. Besides being a graduate of I.A.S (India) he is also a graduate of the master’s program form Univ. of Dallas. Since then mike has left his mark in the real estate industry all over this Metroplex, he has been phenomenal in all his positions, whether it be the Top Market Manager for Drees Custom Homes, or #1 Community Manager for Ryland Homes, mike has done everything from, lending, brokerage, property management, accounting, marketing , building homes and so much more.
Mike has been instrumental in mediating and resolving several critical issues in the community. He has always worked diligently to bring people together, eliminate differences and promote civility and tolerance. He is a Leadership Graduate from GDAR. His leadership roles are most prominent in the field of, Religion, Sports, Pluralism, US Foreign policy, Cricket and South Asian Affairs. He attends every possible seminar in the field. He is working on three books “Essence not Rituals”, “The one Minute Accountant” and “2014” in his rare spare time.
Numerous media and other organizations have recognized Mike. He has been written up in Dallas Morning News, Dallas Business Journal, Fort Worth Star Telegram, Dallas Observer and at some point in time has been interviewed on every Television network including CNN, ABC, NBC, KERA, CBS, PBS, FOX and other cable networks. Mike is an active member of the Board of DFW International, United Nations Association, Pratham DFW and “Indian Creek HOA”. He is a member of several organizations including World Affairs Council, Mortgage Brokers and Home Builders Associations. Mike speaks on Indian Subcontinent, Religious Pluralism and diversity. His slogan –“whatever you do in life, do it wholeheartedly.”
Mike has made significant contributions to a host of organizations and has initiated many firsts in the DFW community. He has led the North Texas Cricket Association (ntcricket.com), to become one of the Premier Leagues in the United States of America and has won the prestigious award for “Best Overall Cricket Development in America’s” from the international Cricket Council based in London. He has been instrumental in promoting religious understanding thru his daily Radio Program “the wisdom of religions. He has produced and anchored the television show in Dallas on TV52 in 1996 and brought AM Radio 1150 to air.
He promotes the ideals of Pluralism and secular societies thru The Foundation for Pluralism that he heads. He initiated the annual Thanksgiving Celebrations and awards Nite some 9 years ago to introduce Thanksgiving to the New Americans.
Even today the Weekly Desi Calendar lists all the south Asian events, and the Desi Journal brings out reading on South Asian Affairs. It’s all on www.MikeGhouse.Net. He has organized concerts, Cricket tournaments and cultural events.
In his personal and professional endeavors mike is supported by his Wife Najma and Son Jeffrey are professional Realtors. Daughter Jasmina is in Junior High. Carrollton, Texas is our home.
Mike is dearly known as the Real Estate Guru among the people whom he has done business with, over 3000 persons in the last 24 years. He has relentlessly sought to educate and continuously learn about what he loves best – real estate. Whether you are considering building a custom home on your lot or a lot that Mike can find you, he can fix you up with everything including financing at the best terms and or advise in investment in real estate properties.
He has got a tough road ahead of him, when he boldly promotes the idea that all of us are created by the same divinity, and all the goodness, all the holy scriptures are God’s words and accepting and respecting that divinity in every faith is the greatest form of worship to him. He is deeply influenced by his father Mohamed Abdul Rahman, Prophet Muhammad, Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, and his Mom, Khairun Nisa. His head stone would sum him up “Zero Prejudice - With Malice towards None”.
