Michael Jackson, the Muslim: The Neglected Story
Darn good question: Why is there no MSM mention of Jacko’s conversion to Islam last November?
Perhaps the funeral will be more revealing than the news media…
Since Michael Jackson’s death last week, there has been tribute after tribute, recognizing his talent and incredible professional accomplishments. The news media also has mentioned troubles in his personal life. What is noticeable missing is the mainstream nightly news media–as far as I know–is the mention of his reported conversion to Islam last November. If it has been mentioned, I suspect it has not received much coverage.
Generally, conversion to any religion is an enormous step in someone’s life–a transforming event to say the least. It usually is not entered into lightly, as there are many changes that accompany it. While a momentous occasion, it can be fraught with challenges such as the loss of family, friends and even employment.
Michael Jackson’s conversion is disputed. Clearly, he was exposed to Islam and Islamic readings as discussed in a YouTube video about his brother Jermaine who converted to Islam 20 years ago. Songs purportedly sung by Michael Jackson about Allaah (swt) also are circulating.
Some comments have been made that if he were Muslim, why is he having a Christian funeral. While state law varies, it appears that under California law his parents can decide what type of funeral to arrange.
Moreover, the fact that he may have been quiet about his conversion is not particularly surprising. I have known converts who waited quite some time before telling family, friends, and/or work associates that they had converted. And not every convert jumps in 100 percent. Many enter slowly into Islam, gradually increasing their practice before it is widely known that they are Muslim.
It appears that Michael Jackson has made no clear statement about his conversion one way or another. Only Allaah (swt) knows the truth about his status when he died.
Even with the controversy surrounding his religious affiliation, that–in and of itself–is newsworthy and deserves some mention by the US nightly news stations. I wonder if Michael Jackson purportedly had become a Scientologist in the year before he died whether that would have received more coverage.
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To convert to another religion I think you need to have a certain coherency and awareness of your surroundings. He had neither.
On the contrary, most religions, Islam included, gladly takes incoherrent or unaware people in the hope of “enlightening” them with their doctrine. So it is irrelevant just how self-aware he may or may not have been.
he did convert,truthfully i think the world is afraid that if its publicly announced that he did then they r afraid his fans may do that to follow in his footsteps.
there are songs in arabic on youtube but they are the islamic songs not his older music.
this whole situation is a mess i just hope they let him rest in peace,and his kids are cared for and not abused.
If he has converted then its between him and Allah. There is no such thing as ‘ a gradual muslim’. A muslim is a muslim. I suspect the reason for his non announcement of the convertion is because he would have thought it may not go well with majority of people who adored him. I was’nt his fan but when i heard the news that he is no more, my tears trickled down. He touched the hearts of the world and when my tears dropped then only i realised thats he touched mine too.
AL – Fatiah… may Allah forgive all his sins intentionally or unintentially inherited and accept him into the heaven with the rest of the good followers.
Aameeen…!