Michael Jackson is Now Mikaeel

LOS ANGELES: Pop star Michael Jackson has converted to Islam and changed his name to Mikaeel.

The 50-year-old singer, who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, is said to have sat on the floor and worn a small hat while an imam officiated at the home of Steve Porcaro, who composed music on his Thriller album.

He is said to have been encouraged by Canadian songwriter David Wharnsby and Philip Bubal, a producer, who both approached him after he appeared "a bit down".

A source told "They began talking to him about their beliefs, and how they though they had become better people after they converted." Michael soon began warming to the idea.

"An imam was summoned from the mosque and Michael went through the shahada, the Muslim declaration of belief."

His brother Jermaine Jackson or Muhammad Abdul Aziz, previously hinted Jackson was considering converting to the religion.

"When I came back from Mecca, I got him a lot of books and he asked me lots of things about my religion and I told him that it's peaceful and beautiful," said Aziz, who embraced the faith in 1989.

"He read everything and he was proud of me that I found something that would give me inner strength and peace." - (November 22, 2008)

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Alhamdulillah, after years of rumours that he had embraced Islam, especially when his brother Jermaine is already a Muslim, and his frequent trip to his Middle Eastern abode, it is finally confirmed that Michael Jackson is now a Muslim.

How I envy him. The moment he recites the shahada, he is as a baby, pure and sinless. No matter how much bad deeds he had done, how many hearts he had hurt or broken, over his past 50 years, all that is forgiven by Allah and it is now upon himself, how he will plan his life, and which path will he choose.

It is my hope, and I believe the hope of every Muslim, that Mikaeel will be a messenger of peace for our religion and follow in the footsteps of Yusuf Islam and Daud Wharnsby Ali, artists who have reverted to Islam and used their talents to call people to Islam.

May his return to this religion of peace will help promote Islam through his good conduct and through lyrics and songs that touches the heart of those in need, in distress, in desperation and especially those who have strayed from the true path of Islam.

The news I've read so far, didn't mention about his children. I hope Mikaeel brings them into Islam, too, and raise them to be good Muslims.