Meet Mikaeel: Jacko Converts to Islam

British tabloid says King of Pop assumes new name in ceremony

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 21, 2008 11:40 AM CST

(Newser) – Michael Jackson has followed the path of fellow entertainer Cat Stevens in converting to Islam, a source tells the British tabloid the Sun. Jackson—now called Mikaeel—recently went through a ceremony at a friend’s Hollywood Hills home, after being swayed by pals who said the faith had made them better people. Stevens, now Yousef Islam, stopped by to offer his congratulations.

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Michael Jackson chose the name Mikaeel, after one of Allah's angels in converting to Islam, a source tells the Sun, preferring it over Mustafa, which means "the chose one." (AP Photo)

Michael Jackson reportedly had been talking with friends who had converted to Islam, and was intrigued by their feeling that the religion had made them become better people. (AP Photo)

In this 2004 file photo, Jermaine Jackson is shown in the West Hollywood section of Los Angeles. The older brother of Michael Jackson converted to Islam in 1989. (AP Photo)

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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 unnamed source,
on Jackson's conversion to Islam

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Meet Mikaeel: Jacko Converts to Islam