Mike Branch is an American-born citizen and business person who converted to the Muslim faith approximately 16 years ago. He is active in the Muslim Educational Trust and serves on its advisory board.



His passion is to work to promote a better sense of understanding between people of different faith, primarily between Muslims and Christians. He promotes a concept of 'Breaking Bread' together where people sit down for common dinners to share their spiritual thoughts and insights.



He acknowledged that the majority of U.S. muslims are foreign born, and urged the audience to help the muslims feel comfortable with practicing their religion amidst our western culture. For example, he mentioned that it is very painful for muslims to be in a U.S. hospital and not have assurance of acccess to muslim religious leaders as a matter of routine.



On the concept of 'Neighbors,' he defined it as 'Anyone else,' and spoke to the conflicting idea that 'people can love God while also hating their neighbor.' He urged people to 'develop peace and justice within ourselves, so we can end violence within our families and between oneanother.' He said we ought to 'speak the truth' even if it goes against our own self interest, because 'we will be called into account.'



In distinguishing between individual muslims and the broader Islam Regious movement he called the audience to acknowledge that Christianity also has its ultra-right extremists, just as Islam has its militant adherents.



According to a muslim's faith, he indicated that 'killing even one person is like killing all humans.' He urged the audience to consider the cocnept of Forgiveness.



He briefly mentioned that the group of young muslims in North Portland who were charged under the Home Land Security Act as terrorists, in his opinion were framed.