Which Celebrities Have Converted to Islam? - Beliefnet The word Islam was literally the highest rated search term on Google for a long time. Dave Chappelle convertedto Islam in 1998, though he rarely speaks publicly about his faith. I knew, of course, that the Second Vatican Council in 1965 declared slavery an infamy that dishonored God and was a poison to society. I came to realize that the Lew Alcindor everyone was cheering wasnt really the person they imagined. I had to bow down.. There was only one thing to do and that was to pray to the almighty to save me. But when youre famous, it becomes a public spectacle for one and all to debate. And He is most knowing of the (rightly) guided (Holy Quran, 28:56), To all of those who never inherited this beautiful religion but actually sought it out like a rare gem. According to USA Today, Tyson converted to Islam in the 1990s. After leading the University of Houston to three Final Fours, Olajuwon was selected by the Houston Rockets as the first overall pick of the 1984 NBA draft, over Michael Jordan. [1] In Britain the number of converts to Islam almost doubled between 2001 and 2010; from 61,000 to 100,000. A list of the most popular browsers can be found below. I'm cool with it. According to NBA.com, Olajuwon still observed the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan during his NBA seasons. . The Wild World singer formally converted to Islam at the end of 1977, adopting the name Yusuf Islam the following year. "Many Muslims have come up to me, shook my hand and said, 'Thank you! Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The comic reeled in his public appearances after his split from Comedy Central, but in 2016 exploded back onto the scene with a $20 million Netflix deal. Lord Headly converted in the disordered times that saw the First World War, and the suffragette movement. You also probably know that he was once disqualified for biting Evander Holyfield's ear. Her favorite appliance is her air fryer. Though they werent strict Catholics, they had raised me to believe in Christianity as the gospel. "Part of my conversion to Islam is accepting the responsibility to teach others about my religion, not to convert them but to co-exist with them through mutual respect, support and peace. His father was an Anglican clergyman, thus we can surmise that like other children of religious, academic parents Marmaduke began his journey puzzled by some of the big questions that plague us all. After 9/11, the event that has been burned into our collective consciousness as the beginning of the so called war on terror, the number of conversions to Islam rose exponentially. An interesting question to ask is why conversions to Islam continue to grow even as the US is becoming increasingly intolerant of Muslims. Naturally, as human beings are prone to do we begin to question the nature of life. "Even if you look at the daily prayers in Islam, we pray in melody. The answer, according to Asma Afsaruddin, professor of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at Indiana University, is that despite Islamophobia, thoughtful Americans are going out of their way to discover the teachings of the Islam from reliable sources. In the years that followed, he moved to Fenerbahe for 7 million, Bolton Wanderers for 8 million, and Chelsea for 15 million. Lets say that I became a Muslim because I really wanted to be righteous, and somebody comes along and starts shooting down my doctrine. Millions of people over the past centuries and from around the globe have learnt the whole book by heart. Mike Tyson The world's undisputed heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, converted to Islam, while he was imprisoned, from 1992 to 1995, for committing rape. He characterized Islam as the religion of peace, brotherhood and universal values. Irish singer-songwriter Sinad O'Connor has had a complicated relationship with religion. I would never have picked up a Quran, he says. Many celebrities are rumored to have converted to Islam. But I was also fighting a strict upbringing of trying to please those in authority. The attacks on us because of a few extremists that we ourselves condemn have proved suspicious. As a matter of fact, when Jesus gave us the great commission, he said, make disciples of all people. We can't make converts. Janet Jackson is now Muslim: 10 celebrities you didn't know converted He ended up serving only half of that term and turned to professional wrestling after his release. After touring the Middle East in 1989, Jermaine Jackson converted to Islam. As converts, you must see the world through a different lens. Celebs who converted to Islam. You may be surprised that they are Its coz Muslims like big families. Mozlem men grow long beards and have many wives! he barked. Some fans took it very personally, as if I had firebombed their church while tearing up an American flag. The talented 7-foot-1-inch center led his teams to four NBA Championships and was a 15-time NBA All-Star. Eventually, Malcolm rejected the group right before three of its members assassinated him. Ahead of the 2002 season, he famously joined Manchester City on a 13 million pound deal. Over the next few years, he changed his name, auctioned off all his guitars for charity, and left his successful music career behind, saying it ran counter to his faith. [2] According to The Guardian, about 5,000 British people convert to Islam every year, mostly women. ", Ahmed has frequently spoken outabout the realities of being Muslim in western countries. I didnt know what was going to happen next.. . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Even though I became a Muslim more than 40 years ago, Im still defending that choice. 31 famous celebrities who are Muslim - CBS News - Breaking news, 24/7 "I read the Koran and it appealed to me," Q-Tip told The Guardian of his conversion. If this is going to be the year they ship us all off.". I used to be Lew Alcindor, the pale reflection of what white America expected of me. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. After signing with WWE - the Mecca of professional wrestling - he became known as Montel Vontavious Porter. Please make sure to check your spam folder if you haven't received it. Are you surprised that so many famous people converted to the Muslim faith? Many celebrities have converted to Islam and are now practicing Muslims, including several that you may be surprised about. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The media driven hostility pushes some people into a journey of discovery. The tide somehow had changed and I was able to get back to land. However, the boxer made little reference to his new faith upon his release from prison. Just over 100 years later many people are asking the same sorts of questions about womens rights and the right of some countries and some people to rule over others against their will. Girls like me could go to school. Born Michel Dimitri Chalhoub, the three-time Golden Globe-winning actorconverted to Islam in 1955 to marry Egyptian actress Faten Hamama, whom he later divorced in 1974. Average citizens are ultimately seeing through these schemes and making their own decisions. And then we begin to exchange notes. Then again, maybe the path isnt supposed to be smooth; maybe its supposed to be filled with obstacles and detours and false discoveries in order to challenge and hone ones beliefs. Islam is a religion of open and honest communication with God. Following the incident, Stevens who had already explored Buddhism while battling tuberculosis as a teen was given a copy of the Quran by his brother. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. I try to discover their level of spiritual maturity, and then teach them the principles of the kingdom of God, from the simplest to the more complex. Connect Wallet. However, she quickly fell out of favor with American audiences when she desecrated a picture of Pope John Paul II on an episode of Saturday Night Life. The good ones were happy entertainers, either in show business or sports, who were expected to show gratitude for their good fortune. The question Im often asked is why I had to pick a religion so foreign to American culture and a name that was hard for people to pronounce. He also largely abandoned his music career, though he resumed recording in 2006. They dont understand that their lack of respect for my spiritual choice is insulting. I'm with it, you know? ", East Coast rapper Mos Def, who now goes by Yasiin Bey, is a Muslim rapper. 1. He then confirmed his plans to visit Turkey and one day undertake the Muslim pilgrimage, called the Hajj. Instead, we should be looking for faith: does the person really believe in Jesus? We should let the Word of God do the heavy lifting! Three decades later, Stevens returned to popular music with "An Other Cup". When we hear the call to prayer in any part of the world, it is also done with melody. We think of discipleship as something that starts after somebody gets saved. Seriously, how do you guys do it? Did you know that they celebrities were Muslim? In the name of Allah, The Most Merciful and The Most Compassionate. However, he has also enjoyed a successful career as a solo artist. But it became the gateway. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". "Why do you think people convert to Islam?" I asked a young woman who seemed a teensy bit too excited to be on national TV. Your email address will not be published. You should receive an email from us to confirm your email address. Honestly, no matter what the reasons are, I believe theres a higher divine wisdom that we can never fully conceive. . Booth finally made her Shahadah in 2010. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Some non-Muslims convert for all the wrong reasons, and some Muslims apostatize after being on the right track. Nowadays we have lost the relevance behind such religious activities and perform these rituals without knowing the meaning.". 18 Famous People Who Converted to Islam - Ranker - Lists About Learn 50 essential Arabic words in 7 days and start understanding the Quran, Indeed (O Muhammad), you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. As Malcolm X said, I guess a mans entitled to make a fool of himself if hes ready to pay the cost.. ", "I feel like there's a moment in the history of this country, and American Muslims do need to speak out. Malcolm Xs transformation from petty criminal to political leader inspired me to look more closely at my upbringing and forced me to think more deeply about my identity. It was around this same time that he began attending Nation of Islam meetings and interacting with some of the most notable names within the movement. It's a privilege in a way to be an American Muslim speaking in whatever way I can at this time in history, when it's so crucial.". Colleges started offering more courses on Islam. In 1992, he was sentenced to six years in prison for the rape of a young woman. Time to quote the familiar Quran verse echoing in your mind right now? My parents were not pleased by my conversion. For the person who converts, it is a matter of fierce conviction and defiance. "Like, any of these things that have come from, you know, other cultures and religious practices or beliefs like, if it makes if it vibes with me. With more than 1.8 billion adherents, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Many people began their journey of discovery by wondering what sort of religion would inspire people to commit the atrocity that was the bombing of the twin towers. It could be grief, loss, or debt, or something less personal like violence in a far off place. The browser or device you are using is out of date. In 2017 rapper Lupe Fiasco, born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, told the Chicago Tribune that "I think you've got a lot of people who want to represent and show the world that Islam is not just some Arab dude with a full gown and a long beard. And that's kind of the space that I bring to the work.". Many are born Muslim while other has convert. I dont think Islam is growing fast because people are converting. This soothing concept washes our exasperating feelings of loneness away. Dr. Ellis has decades of experience discipling the unchurchables those who wouldnt normally set foot in a traditional Christian church. During my years playing with the Milwaukee Bucks, Hammas version of Islam was a joyous revelation. They wanted me to be the clean-cut example of racial equality. That made it more political than I had intended and distracted from what was, for me, a much more personal journey. When Lauren Booth, the sister in law of ex British Prime Minister Tony Blair converted to Islam she referred to the most peculiar journey of my life.[5]. In 2017 the model marched in protest of President Trump's executive orderseeking to halt refugees and visitors from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Shortly after that, he would become known professionally as Antonio Banks and, briefly, Lord of War. Why some people were born in luxury and ease and others into chaos and despair. The former One Direction band member was raised Muslim by his mother, who converted to the religion, and his British-Pakistani father. God is not subject to time, time is subject to him. Start your journey with Ustadh Fahim Qazi to learn Quranic Arabic in an EASY, SIMPLE & FUN way. JazkaAllah Khairan. Do you want to understand the Quran in Arabic? As one of the 'pillars' of Studio Arabiya, her goal is to bring Arabic and Quran education to all. . Although I was greatly influenced by Malcolm X, a leader in the Nation of Islam, I chose not to join because I wanted to focus more on the spiritual rather than political aspects. You probably see lights and colors we dont even know can exist in this life. While MVP is certainly the name that people will recognize the most, iHassan Hamin Assad remains the wrestler's legal name. Alcindor was a French planter in the West Indies who owned my ancestors. Make Your Kids Fall In Love With The Quran With These Tips! Why Do People Convert To Islam? Find out which ones actually did and which ones didn't! He added that his conversion was met with wildly different reactions; in Turkey, he was raised on this pedestal but on the other side there were people who said, Hes a bit of a traitor, isnt he? The Grammy Award-winning music producer is proud to be Muslim. During the 2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards, the "Moonlight" star gave a passionate speech about the importance of loving each other despite our differences. Then in 1971, when I was 24, I converted to Islam and became Kareem . In 2018 the singer. Still, I was discontented. Scroll on below to read more about which celebrities converted to Islam. And may peace always and forever be upon you, >>> Understand the Quran in as little as 10 minutes/day. Booth finally made her Shahadah in 2010.Enter your text here Outside of Muhammad Ali, Cat Stevens' conversion to Islam is perhaps the most famous. When it got to zero, he would call out, Okay, Gabriel, come on and blow your horn. The following is adapted from an interview with Dr. Carl Ellis on Crescent Project's Podcast (Listen to Part 1 of the Interview). And most importantly, why did you do it? 12 International Celebrities Who Converted to Islam "My faith has helped make me the man I am right now, with the love and the respect that I put out there. I think taking the time to actually learn about it showed the stark difference between what the media portrays and the reality of Islam, I agree The young woman smiled. In a 2013 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Aghdashloo speculated that her Muslim identity may have cost her a film role. No, discipleship starts when you encounter the person; you disciple them to the faith, and then you disciple them in the faith. [2] Many people began their journey of discovery by wondering what sort of religion would inspire people to commit the atrocity that was the bombing of the twin towers. Aisha is also a published writer in both internet and print media and in 2009 -10 she was the Queensland editor at a national Australian Islamic newspaper ~ Crescent Times. Seven years later, he told Time, "I don't normally talk about my religion publicly because I don't want people to associate me and my flaws with this beautiful thing. His family was attacked by the Christianity-spouting Ku Klux Klan, and his home was burned by the KKK splinter group the Black Legion. Much of my early awakening came from reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X as a freshman. A specific situation the convert finds themself in. When she's not writing about how you can upgrade your laundry room, she's writing about home and kitchen essentials that will transform your space. When I ask a disciple to tell me their stories, I have a database of biblical stories in my head. Now they're reading the Bible and theyre saying, Wow. She firmly believes that it can make the crispiest sweet potato fries. Despite the fact that he was born into a Hindu household, Yuvan . All I know is we value the thing we earn, and appreciate the beauty in it more. We will never completely understand why some will reject this faith even if they personally experience a million specific proofs and wonders, and why others will embrace it with only one random sign. When I was involved in prison ministry, I knew a number of guys who converted to Islam because Muslims were the only ones who stuck together and defended each other. ", In 2016 the rapper, born Karim Kharbouch, told MTV that being Muslim is part of the reason he is so successful. In 2006 Caleb Carter from Colombia Missouri converted to Islam.[4]. So I stopped singing and started taking action with what I now believed, he told Laverne. God is the one who brings transformation to the lives of our friends, and he does it in his time. Ali remained with the group for a number of years, but revealed in his 2004 autobiography that he converted to Sunni Islam under the guidance of Warith Deen Muhammad. Celebrities who converted to Islam. 1. In a 2007 interview with Hollywood TV, Rhymes said, "I try to really just understand every aspect about the most high. Why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Converted to Islam - Breaking News, World News . I don't introduce myself as a Muslim woman, but I guess the distribution company put the dots together and felt it's too early for this," Aghdashloo said. Every cable news show suddenly had their stable of Muslim experts.[3]. Yusuf/Cat Stevens opens up about his conversion to Islam However, it was not until 1964, when Clay defeated Sonny Liston for boxing's Heavyweight Championship, that he was fully embraced by the group. Hip-hop artist Ice Cube rose to prominence in the gangster rap group N.W.A, then enjoyed a successful solo career in music and Hollywood films. She has been named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" for 2013, 2014 and 2015 for her work championing education rights for girls. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Of course were concerned about them coming to Christ. Yuvan Shankar Raja: Ilaiyaraaja's son, Yuvan Shankar Raja is India's youngest music composer. Becoming Muslim feels like the final step to reaching true peace. There is a better way. Youssef is the creator and star of the Hulu series "Ramy." Hema Malini and Dharmendra Bollywood couple, Dharmendra and Hema Malini, converted to Islam in 1979 to be able to get married. Keeping the name of my familys slave master seemed somehow to dishonor them. And as I hear them come up, I make a mental note of them. After listening closely, I respond. Is there another point of view that we are giving? People wonder why someone like Lauren Booth would choose a religion that was constantly being reported as violent and chaotic. We should be. Otherwise, the white publics consensus seemed to be that blacks werent much good. Since then, Westerners have been converting to the religion in droves. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. She rose to international fame in 1990 with her cover of the Prince classic "Nothing Compares 2 U". I just didnt know what it meant for me. Rebellion was not an option. Journeys of discovery begin when people find themselves in situations beyond their control. Their belief is based on faith, not just in the teachings of the religion but also in the acceptance of that religion from their family and culture. And of course, once they start doing that, youve created a slippery slope into further exploration! One world does not have to mean one religion, just one belief in living in peace. Some celebrities have veered away from the religions they practiced as children to embrace new belief systems later in life. They get lots of kids and over-populate the world! she giggled. Part of my restraint was the feeling that the person the public was celebrating wasnt the real me. He converted to Islam in 1971, while still playing with the Milwaukee Bucks. This is the final part of a four article series discussing conversion to Islam as a process of discovery. Actually, I was rejecting the religion that was foreign to my American culture and embracing one that was part of my black African heritage. It has known security flaws and a limited feature set. "With my mum and dad, they were always there to educate us I did go to mosque, I did study Islam," Malik said. Although I had my doubts about some of Hammas instruction, I rationalized them away because of the great spiritual fulfillment I was experiencing. Pakistani-American actor Faran Tahir, best known for his roles in "Iron Man," "Star Trek" and "24," is Muslim in real life has also played memorable Muslim characters onscreen. I'm also listening for their core concerns, their life-controlling and life-defining values and issues. What do these celebrities all have in common? "I say I was born a Muslim. Home / Entertainment / Music / Janet Jackson is now Muslim: 10 celebrities you didn't know converted to Islam . Over the next few years, I started to understand it better. Here is the list of those famous English personalities who converted to Islam! Fans thought I joined the Nation of Islam, an American Islamic movement founded in Detroit in 1930. When Im interacting with Muslims, I try to find out where they are in terms of this triad of reasons was it doctrinal, circumstantial, or a personal goal? A part of us will always wonder why some hearts are opened to the final message and why others are repelled by it. He adopted it after converting to Islam during an 18-and-half-year prison stretch for armed robbery and kidnapping. It was there that he saw the inherent beauty of Islam and commented that, Each man must see with his own eyes and not anothers. The Bible puts the emphasis on discipleship. When I look back, I wish I could have done it in a more private way, without all the publicity and fuss that followed. Some fans still call me Lew, then seem annoyed when I ignore them. Mike Tyson converted to Islam in the mid-1990s when he was serving time in prisonin conjunction with a rape conviction. Exclusive: The Real Reason Muhammad Ali Converted to Islam. I was introduced to Islam while I was a freshman at UCLA. She didn't do backflips when I called her to tell her I converted 17 years ago," he said. Zayn Malik Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images The former One Direction band member was raised Muslim by his mother, who converted to the religion, and his British-Pakistani father. List of converts to Islam - Wikipedia What draws people to the Nation of Islam or to orthodox Islam? Thus they set out on a journey of discovery that led to many thousands of them to the religion that was being vilified. A little wave came from behind. As Muslims share their story, I'm listening for their reasons. Now Im Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the manifestation of my African history, culture and beliefs. Many people are born into their religion. The people were questioning the right of the Western Empires to rule over vast numbers of people. My father was a cop with a set of rules, I attended a Catholic school with priests and nuns with more rules, and I played basketball for coaches who had even more rules. Around this same time, she began sharing videos of herself singing and speaking in Arabic and even changed her name to Shuhada' Davitt. Ameen! Please help me counter injustices in Muslim world by supporting my journalism and CJWS here: https://www.patreon.com/cjwerlemanor via YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa1_vNx2yAQzFnQWNajUHtg/joinOne-time donations can be made here: https://www.paypal.me/cjwerlemanWe can't sustain, improve and grow this program without your help. In order to satisfy their curiosity many found themselves buying a copy of the Quran and discovering that far from encouraging people to be violent, the Quran said that peace was the message of Islam. Irish singer-songwriter Sinad O'Connor has had a complicated relationship with religion. InshaAllah, by the end of the 7-day Quranic Arabic Challenge, you will build a solid foundation to deepen your relationship with the Quran, feel more connected in your Salah, and ultimately become closer to Allah SWT.
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