Michael Jackson has been interested in Islam for a while now.
He started dressing like a Muslim (woman) back in 2006:
Michael Jackson, center, wearing a traditional Arabic women’s veil and all-covering gown called an abaya, holds the hand of one of his children, also veiled, as they walk toward his car on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, behind a Manama, Bahrain, shopping mall. (Yahoo)
Jackson took the name of one of Allah’s angels Mikaeel.
Eye of the World and The Sun reported:
The singer, who was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, converted to Islam in a ceremony at a friend’s house in Los Angeles.
He is said to have sat on the floor and worn a small hat while an imam officiated.
According to The Sun, the ceremony took place while Jackson, 50, was recording an album at the home of Steve Porcaro, a keyboard player who composed music on his Thriller album.
The former Jackson 5 star was counselled by David Wharnsby, a Canadian songwriter, and Phillip Bubal, a producer, who have both converted.
A source said Jackson had appeared a “bit down” and added: “They began talking to him about their beliefs, and how they thought 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, which is the Muslim declaration of belief.”