Muslim Interfaith Marriages

Muslim Interfaith Marriages Interfaith weddings with customized sermons to reflect the religious, social or pluralistic sentimen The marriage license is the legal document of marriage.
(1)

ABOUT INTERFAITH MARRIAGES

It is disappointing to many a couples, that their clergy or a parent insists that the other person convert to their faith tradition, some do, and some fake it and some are not comfortable with the idea. The couple is deeply committed to marry, they go ahead and get married any way without the ceremony, but sorely miss out on the integral part of their ceremony, sometim

es leaving a sense of inexplicable incompleteness in their lives. Marriage is between two individuals, and their families and friends are supporters and cheerleaders to celebrate and complete their joy. Mike Ghouse is committed to perform interfaith weddings to complete the joy of wedding ceremony for these couples. He is a member of the American Marriage Ministries, The Ministry is a non-profit organization established in Washington State in 2009 to provide people the ability to celebrated marriages according to their own terms. As a Pluralist, Mike officiates the weddings of such couples, and optionally delivers a sermon to reflect the essence of humanity in respecting the otherness of other, and accepting each other's uniqueness. If the couple prefers to fulfil the religiosity of the parents, relatives and friends, the sermon would be tailored to include reflections and essence of the faith of the couple. Even though the couple may not be religious, they would still prefer to have a semblance of it in the most important moment of their life. Mike is Founder and President of Foundation for Pluralism – www.foundationforpluralism.com and teaches essence of every faith, and he is a member of the American Marriage Ministries, a non-profit established in Washington State in 2009. "We provide all people the ability to celebrate marriage and other religious functions according to their beliefs. We believe that this is an innate human right and is also protected by the 1st Amendment. Our values come from the understanding that all people, whether religious or not, have deep personal values and should be treated with respect, acceptance, and understanding." Marriage is a celebration that brings people together, and we want to extend that ethos further by being a church comprised of a wide cross-section of people that have found common ground in the service of bringing people together. To begin, the legal dimension to officiating a wedding simply involves completing a piece of paper, the marriage license. It is filed for by the couple from their local government prior to the wedding. The role of the minister is to conduct the wedding, have the couple present their marriage license, make sure that the information is correct, and complete the license. The couple then returns the completed license back to its office of issuance. Personally, Mike is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, interfaith, politics and civic affairs. Mike 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 and regularly at Huffington post, and several periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily. Two books are poised to be released this year on Pluralism in America, and Americans Together building a cohesive America. Details at www.MikeGhouse.net

UNDERSTANDING VERSE 2:221 OF THE QURANInterfaith marriages are gaining ground, and the one verse that is constantly disc...
03/19/2025

UNDERSTANDING VERSE 2:221 OF THE QURAN

Interfaith marriages are gaining ground, and the one verse that is constantly discussed is verse 2:221 from Sura Baqarah in the Quran. Some of us are tied to the point of view expressed by scholars from earlier periods of Islam, and some understand it as it applies to them from a timeless Quranic point of view. Quran calls on us to think and reflect, and it means that we must shine on every verse; we must find answers to why God must have said that; God does not want us to be blind believers. "If it is not common sense, then it is not Islam.:

God loves us and expresses this love through his guidance so that we may be free from tensions, pain, misery, and apprehensions. After all, we are his creation, and he wants each of us to live in peace and harmony with fellow beings.

The Quran is about God’s wisdom for his creation to live in tranquility. God is selfless like mothers, as it says in the Quran that his love is more than the love of a mother. 70 was a metaphorical number used in Bible to mean infinite, I am sure the guidance is in every holy book of every religion.

Full article - https://interfaithmarriages.org/understanding-the-verse-2221-of-quran-sura-baqarah/

Muslim Intrafaith & Interfaith WeddingsOn Sunday, October 20th, I had the honor of officiating my 467th wedding. Among t...
10/22/2024

Muslim Intrafaith & Interfaith Weddings

On Sunday, October 20th, I had the honor of officiating my 467th wedding. Among these, 415 were interfaith marriages, beautifully blending among nine different faiths, including Atheists and their various denominations.

It was a joy to officiate at the 52nd Muslim Nikah ceremony for a couple from the Nation of Islam. I am pleased to note that I have engaged with a full spectrum of (Intra-faith) Muslim groups, including Sunni, Shia, Bohra, Ismaili, Ahmedi, and others. I've completed a full circle in this journey with the Nation of Islam.

Each wedding is customized through extensive consultations with the couple and their parents. We ensure that everyone agrees and aim to deliver a seamless and smooth ceremony in just 30 minutes, allowing you to concentrate on the joy of the occasion.

I approach the essence of all religions with equal respect, believing that no religion is superior to the other. They all offer divine guidance for living in peace and tranquility.

Many individuals have read my book, *American Muslim Agenda*, and reached out to me for insights into Islam—the progressive vision that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) shared with humanity.

While they express a desire to adopt Islamic values, I push them back, reassuring them that conversion is unnecessary, their faith is equally good, and I share some of their values with them. Nonetheless, 53 individuals have chosen to subscribe to Islamic ideals over the past 15 years. This week, I will be officiating another conversion, this time for a woman who wants to be a Muslim.

For further reading, consider this article: "Who is a Muslim and what is Islam." https://interfaithmarriages.org/who-is-a-muslim-and-what-is-islam/

For more information, testimonials, and videos, please visit the following sites:

Drs Fatima & Mike Ghouse
Wedding Officiants of America\
www.InterfaithMarriages.org
www.MuslimWeddingOfficiant.org
www.Ceremoniasenespanol.com

FEELS GOOD TREATED WELL.I recently officiated my 464th interfaith wedding in Raleigh, NC, on Sunday, October 12, 2024. A...
10/16/2024

FEELS GOOD TREATED WELL.

I recently officiated my 464th interfaith wedding in Raleigh, NC, on Sunday, October 12, 2024. About 100 people attended the wedding. My joy was to meet both the families of the bride and groom, who were from Bengaluru and spoke Kannada. I missed Idli, Vada, Dosa, Sambar, and bisi bele bhat served for lunch as I flew in from Chicago from the 463rd wedding. It was a Turkish wedding.

During the ceremony, I had the opportunity to conduct a mini-workshop on Pluralism. This workshop posed two questions regarding different life situations: "What is my loss?" and "What is the essence?" We explored topics such as worship in various religions, differing clothing styles (like the hijab and bindi), workplace harmony, and more, all within a seven-minute timeframe. We can achieve greater understanding and clarity by reflecting on our attitudes, which can sometimes be biased.

In the picture, a woman guest at the wedding expressed her desire to take a photo with her family and me to promote the concept of Pluralism. It truly feels terrific when people treat you like a celebrity.

Fatima & Mike Ghouse
Wedding Officiants
www.InterfaithMarriages.org
www.MuslimWeddingOfficiant.org
www.Ceremoniasenespanol.com

WEDDING on THE TOP OF NEW YORKI have officiated weddings in every imaginable venue, from apartments, condos, parks, rive...
09/08/2024

WEDDING on THE TOP OF NEW YORK

I have officiated weddings in every imaginable venue, from apartments, condos, parks, riverside, oceans, tops of the hills, and 12000' tall Estes Park Mountain, Magic Kingdom, and small 12-seater planes. Today was the 454th wedding on top of a building in New York with the Empire State Building in the background.

The bride's father was from Yemen but grew up in Indonesia. He was an anesthesiologist who had served our nation well. The bride's grandfather received the Purple Heart for his distinguished service in the US Army. Everyone in the family was a doctor.

We all gathered on top of the building; everything was organized well. However, the rain started pouring, so we grabbed as many chairs as possible and ran to their unit on the 12th floor. The rain stopped, so we went back up again, and all agreed to stand as the place was wet.

The Nikah+ ceremony lasted 30 minutes as planned. Mothers and fathers were participants, not spectators. Every traditional word recited in Arabic was translated and explained in English. The ceremony included a dash of humor.

I traveled in Amtrak and loved it. There is something nostalgic about trains. I went to work, high school, and college by train. So many memories are associated with trains.

My mother, my siblings, and I traveled in the Narrow Gauge train from Yelahanka to Chikbalapur and Chintamani, about 35 miles, but it took a day. My mother had a metal trunk that we put our clothes in. It was heavy, and either I carried it on my shoulders or the porter carried it for us.

Drs. Fatima & Mike Ghouse
Wedding Officiants of America
www.InterfaithMarriages.org
www.MuslimWeddingOfficiant.org

ONE NATION UNDER GODRecently, I had the honor of officiating a unique wedding in New York. The groom's parents were Sikh...
09/08/2024

ONE NATION UNDER GOD

Recently, I had the honor of officiating a unique wedding in New York. The groom's parents were Sikh and Hindu, while the bride's parents were Muslim and Christian. The ceremony beautifully incorporated elements from all four religions, a testament to the unity and shared values of the couple and their families. These weddings, with their diverse faith traditions, are a powerful demonstration of people coming together under the divine guidance of their respective creators.

It's heartening to note that 419 couples, despite their diverse races, ethnicities, and religions, have chosen to unite as one nation under God. This is a powerful testament to the unity that transcends our differences.

Additionally, 35 marriages were between individuals of the same race, religion, and ethnicity.

In today's wedding, the groom was French, and this is a familiar story in Canada and the US, where people from diverse backgrounds come together in marriage.

I admire the bride's parents for their open-mindedness. They didn't impose their cultures and religions on their children but instead instilled in them the values of their faiths, which the couples followed wholeheartedly.

In America, parents trust their children to make decisions that bring happiness to everyone. While religion holds significance, it has also become deeply personal. Religion doesn't serve as a barrier; as the poet Iqbal wrote, "Religion does not create barriers between humanity."

Drs. Fatima & Mike Ghouse
Wedding Officiants of America
www.InterfaithMarriages.org

MOTHER TERESA - SYMBOL OF LOVEOne form of love is risking your life to care for others, sacrificing your life's pleasure...
08/28/2024

MOTHER TERESA - SYMBOL OF LOVE

One form of love is risking your life to care for others, sacrificing your life's pleasures for the good of others. She has been an inspiration in my life. There was a time in history when lepers were chased out of towns and villages and left to live in misery. Then came Mother Teresa, who sincerely loved humanity and cared for them in her Ashram. I associate the word "Love" with Mother Teresa. She sincerely loves humanity and cares for them in her Ashram. I associate the word Love with Mother Teresa.

Mike Ghouse

WEDDINGS FOR ALL PROFESSIONSIt has been a joy to officiate 452 weddings. Nearly 50% of the couples were doctors, psychia...
08/26/2024

WEDDINGS FOR ALL PROFESSIONS

It has been a joy to officiate 452 weddings. Nearly 50% of the couples were doctors, psychiatrists, and lawyers. 30% were data analysts, software engineers, and Nurses, followed by teachers, military personnel (including Army, Navy, Air Force, Green Beret, Navy Seal, and Coast Guard—except the Marines), construction workers, plumbers, electricians, politicians, pottery makers, agriculturists, and many others. I am about to officiate a wedding in a prison.

With over 15 years of experience in interfaith, in*******al, and intercontinental marriages, I have become a go-to person for questions about weddings between all faiths (8), no faith, races (4), and various ethnicities (over 50). I have officiated weddings from all continents except Antarctica and the South Pole, encompassing many cultures.

Fatima & Mike Ghouse
Wedding Officiants of America
www.InterfaithMarriages.org
www.MuslimWeddingOfficiant.org
www.Ceremoniasenespanol.com

WHAT IS LOVE? It has been my spouse's childhood dream to visit Spain, and it brings me tremendous joy to help her make ...
08/18/2024

WHAT IS LOVE?

It has been my spouse's childhood dream to visit Spain, and it brings me tremendous joy to help her make it a reality. Love is about supporting each other's growth, finding happiness in life, and seeking solace in each other. It involves helping fulfill the dreams of those we love, such as taking my spouse to see what she has always wanted for her, visiting museums in Madrid, especially the works of her favorite artist, Diego Velazquez, and trying authentic Paella, which we enjoyed next to the Picasso Museum.

During our trip, we visited the magnificent La Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, the tallest Church in the world. My favorite was the Cordoba Church and Mosque, where we took a picture capturing the Church in the center with the Mosque's architecture on either side. I appreciated Spain's practice of coexistence, known as La Convivencia, as described by Dr. Akbar Ahmed in his travels. Similarly, Jerusalem's construction of the Holy Sepulcher Church and Umar's Mosque within the same walls is a great example.

I am pleased that Spain has preserved its heritage by repurposing the abandoned materials of the Church and the Mosque. Despite Ferdinand's historical actions, I am gratified that the current generation of Spanish people is doing the right thing.

I express my wish that the United States had not removed the statues of the Confederate Generals; they are part of our history, and history should not be erased. All our history's good, bad, and ugly aspects should be preserved and acknowledged. What has happened in the past should remain in the past. I also hope that modern India takes measures to protect all its heritage Mosques and Temples. About 15 years ago, while traveling from New Delhi to the City of Agra, on my way to the Taj Mahal, I encountered a monument at the midpoint between the two cities that had been vandalized, with bricks being hauled away. I intervened and stopped the individuals involved, but they likely resumed their activities once I was gone.

When I have the time, I plan to write more about pluralism, love for each other, and love for humanity.

Dr. Ghouse is an Interfaith Wedding Officiant. A Muslim, Pluralist, activist, speaker, author, and a social scientist. President/ Center for Pluralism, Director/ World Muslim Congress, and partner at InterfaithMarriages.org - Google search for more

Buddhist-Muslim Wedding I have officiated interfaith marriages of people from nine different faiths, but only one needs ...
07/31/2024

Buddhist-Muslim Wedding

I have officiated interfaith marriages of people from nine different faiths, but only one needs to be added: Zoroastrian. Once, I officiated a Zoroastrian interreligious marriage, so I have officiated weddings for people of all major faiths.

It's a testament to the diversity of our world that almost everyone who marries comes from a progressive household. This weekend, I'm honored to officiate two weddings in Edmonton and Houston, both of which reflect the beautiful tapestry of our society. The couple on Saturday, for instance, is a beautiful blend of cultures and faiths - the groom is raised by a Jewish father and a Christian mother, while the bride has a Muslim father and a Hindu mother.

Our weddings are inclusive, and people walk away respecting each other's faith as I focus on the essence of each religion rather than rituals, and every religion serves its purpose in restoring harmony to each individual.

God has blessed them all - they respect and accept all of God's creation without reserve.

Drs. Mylord Fatima Reyes Tosta and Mike Ghouse
Wedding Officiants of America
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
www.InterfaithMarriages.org
www.ceremoniasenespanol.com
https://muslimweddingofficiant.org/

Aligarians at a Wedding in Minneola, FlAll Sherwanis except two.
07/24/2024

Aligarians at a Wedding in Minneola, Fl

All Sherwanis except two.

WEDDING PLANNERS and IIf you hire a wedding planner, the weddings go flawlessly. Our team of seasoned professionals has ...
07/21/2024

WEDDING PLANNERS and I

If you hire a wedding planner, the weddings go flawlessly.
Our team of seasoned professionals has a wealth of experience working with clients across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. We've orchestrated weddings in every setting imaginable, from the sandy beaches of Cancun to the bustling cities, ensuring every detail is perfect.

Drs. Fatima and Mike Ghouse
Wedding Officiants of America
www.InterfaithMarriages.org

EMERGENCY HOSPITAL WEDDING A few days ago, my wife and I were in the emergency ward of a hospital to officiate a marriag...
07/07/2024

EMERGENCY HOSPITAL WEDDING

A few days ago, my wife and I were in the emergency ward of a hospital to officiate a marriage. The bride's mother was in her last days and had expressed her desire to see her daughter in a wedding gown marrying a prince charming.

The couple was concerned and wanted to fulfill their mother's wish. They called me to come right away. I had a Nikah ceremony (Muslim wedding) set up with a small gathering, so I called them and explained the situation. They offered to hold the ceremony the next day. It's heartwarming to see people always wanting to do good. It has happened a few times in the last 15 years. I love the humanity in all of us.

We entered the room and gathered around Mom's bed. She could barely speak but was pleased. It was bittersweet but beautiful to fulfill her wishes by officiating the wedding in such difficult circumstances.

It was the third hospital wedding I have officiated. One was in Dallas for a Spanish father, and my wife was the translator. The other was in New Orleans, and today, it was in Washington, D.C. Both individuals have passed away since then. Rest in peace. However, I have forged deep, enduring connections with the couples since then. Just so you know, the picture of the woman is not of the same person.

Drs. Fatima & Mike Ghouse
Wedding Officiants of America
email: [email protected]
www.InterfaithMarriages.org
www.ceremoniasenespanol.com
https://muslimweddingofficiant.org/

Address

Near Capitol Hill
Washington D.C., DC
20002

Telephone

(214) 325-1916

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Muslim Interfaith Marriages posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Muslim Interfaith Marriages:

Shortcuts

Share

Category