Well, the King of Pop is soon to be a Muslim living in Bahrain. At least that's the story coming out of that small kingdom today.
American pop star Michael Jackson has officially announced that he has been following the five tenets of Islam and intends to convert to Islam, according to a report on the website of Arab-Israeli newspaper Panorama.
The report is based on information elicited from sources in Bahrain.
According to the report, Jackson’s announcement noted he is moving to Bahrain and has purchased some real-estate on an artificial island there. The singer said he decided to convert to Islam because he is convinced it is the closest religion to his personal beliefs.
According to a phone recording released last week, among Jackson's "personal beliefs" is one that considers Jews to be "leeches."
According to that story,
Jackson is heard saying that "they're like leeches…I'm so tired of it. They start out the most popular person in the world, make a lot of money, big house, cars and everything. End up penniless. It is a conspiracy. The Jews do it on purpose."
I suppose that fits in with most Muslim attitudes these days, at least in the Middle East.
The story of Jackson's conversion to Islam continues,
Jackson also noted he intends to soon move all his assets and his studio from the U.S. to Bahrain, and expressed his hope to be rid of various legal troubles and enjoy the kind of freedom he says he does not have in America.
Considering that Jackson is supposed to be flat broke, how does he come up with enough money to buy and artificial island and house in Bahrain? And what assets does he have that are not already claimed by creditors?
In any case, it looks as though Neverland will be left behind for good.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - DrPat
I can't say I'm surprised by this move.
Jackson obviously still has income from his older music releases (regardless of how poorly the recent album has done), and may have enough money to do well for himself in the Arab World while not having enough to defend himslf from serial sexual abuse suits in the US.
I hope he finds a full and satisfying life in his new country, if only because then he is likely to stay there.
2 - Victor Plenty
Adherence to real Islam might do Mr. Jackson good, mostly because its moral standards do not at all support the lifestyle he's grown used to in Southern California. He'd have to develop some discipline and self control to become a real Muslim.
Unfortunately, the self-indulgent pseudo-Islam practiced by many of the wealthy rulers in the Gulf states is more likely to make his problems even worse. His hosts in Bahrain may have carefully watered down whatever they've told him about Islam, to make it more palatable to him.
Like the other great religions of the world, true Islam is about working hard to improve your own character, while forgiving the faults of others. And as with the other religions, the true form of that faith is rarely to be found among its most wealthy and powerful.
3 - Victor Lana
Some good things about this post:
1. Jackson leaving the USA
2. Jackson (becoming a Muslim) won't be able to drink
3. Jackson leaving the USA
4. Jackson thinks people in Bahrain like him
5. Jackson leaving the USA
Gee, hope it's true.
4 - l larry
i dont think that jacko has been in the the mideast long enough to decide whether whether he wants to be muslim or not not not. a conversion decision take some some study, not what has become the the latest popular religion. i i believe that mj has declared himself himself a jehovahs witness in the past past larry
5 - Anthony Grande
Has anyone noticed that Jackson is hiding in third world backwards poor countries in Africa and now the Mid-East? Does anyone besides me know why?
[Deleted. Even the famous deserve protection under the BC Comments Policy, particularly when children start throwing insults. Comments Editor.]
6 - The Fifth Dentist
I agree with Anthony Grande (perhaps for the first time ever.) This is more bad p.r. for Islam. They now boast the world's most famous child molester as a member. The big winners here are the Jehovah's Witnesses: he's no longer their problem.
7 - Anthony Grande
Maybe Al Queda will get ahold of him.
That would make my holiday season.
I really doubt that the Muslims over there are going to deal with probablly the biggest "infidel".
8 - Silas Kain
Interesting that the only mention of Jack-o becoming Muslin appears in an Israeli news site. Googling has yielded no further results which causes me to have a few doubts. His anti-Semitic comments, of course, will arouse a backlash. I wonder if it would have been this pronounced had he complained about the Swiss in the same way.
9 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Yediot Ahronot, a left wing paper, learned its yellow journalism habits from Uri Avneri, formerly the publisher of 'Olám Hazéh, which followed the formula of "anti-establishment politics," scandal (plentiful in this small country) and generous doses of sex. Yediot Ahronot differs from 'Olám Hazéh in that its politics are pathetically establishment oriented.
Nevertheless, in spite of all this, the story has the ring of truth to it.
You Yanks should be cheering, "good riddance to bad garbage!" And we here have yet something else that stinks in our lovely little neighborhood, yet another import from the morally sick West.
10 - larry
i am glad to see some decorum on this this blog. first time i have seen seen someone spanked. excellent
11 - Silas Kain
Michael Jackson may be morally corrupt, Ruvy, I can't deny that. But I also wonder just what contributed to his problems. Unfortunately, I believe that his father should probably have been dealt with years ago. The Jacksons all have issues and though Michael's seem more pronounced there had to be some modicum of truth to the rumors about Daddy. That doesn't let Michael off the hook; but, the parents of all the boys who have shared his bed deserve the same scrutiny. Why would any responsible parent allow their child to share his bed? It makes no sense at all.
12 - Christopher Rose
we try, larry, we try.
13 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Though there comes a point when a child becomes an adult and must take responsibility for his actions, you'll get no arguments from me on all that you say, Silas. A lot of the problems of the Jackson children, all of them, stem from Jackson senior.
14 - DrPat
I find lots of citations when I search for "Michael Jackson"+Muslim, guys. YNet cites "sources in Bahrain" and also comments,
Jermaine became a Muslim in 1989 after a visit to Saudi Arabia.
Of course, there was all that flap about MJ joining the Nation of Islam two years ago -- that turned out to be untrue. This may be more of the same.
15 - Vanessa
I really don't know what to say i guess I'll support MJ all the way, i admire him as the artist he is.
16 - Anjum
May Allah forgave his Sins and gave him powers to stand on Islam firmly. Ameen
17 - Rehan Ahmed Ansari
Allah Ho Akbar
18 - Akbar Khan
Hi All
I gurentee all of you If you read the message of Islam and think once in Life in reality. Then no doubt that you will accept the meassage from the CREATER.
May Allah Blease upon You All
19 - Eric Olsen
thanks BOP! been following this and I have still not seen any confirmation of the Islam rumor in the mainstream press - the latest "bombshell" is that Debbie Rowe is makign it public that MJ isnot the biological father of their children. No shit
20 - riz
Alhamdu lilla, may Allah guide hime on the path of Islam, from now on he is our brother ,we congratulate him on this turning point of his life, may allah give him success in this life and the life hereafter. aamin
21 - bilal ahmed awan.
hi, i want to congrat Jackson, and warn all the other non-muslims that, its still time to get on the right path. And remember, bin laden hitler bush they are not representatives of the God's words nor they mimic any thing that God teaches to humun beings, so neither we nor non-muslims can blame all the belivers on account of one mans deed; that y i can blame all christians for the deeds of hitler or bush, just as we are nor responsible for the deeds of TERRORIST BIN LADEN.
22 - shab
i agree with bilal ahmed, he makes a valid point, dont judge muslims on account of one psychotic bastard. but im not going to give you any o the "come to the right path" bit either. if someone told me that i'd go and kick their ass. your beliefs are your own.
im not sure what exactly spurred micheal jackson to convert...lets see how this turns out.
23 - bh
Michael jackson has the right to say what he wants to say, so Idon't know about this whole thing.
About Debbie she's is a bad parent, she has not right to tell that kind of information to the whole world.
24 - noanchorbabies
At least Jackson has the good sense to join the TRUE Islamic religion, and not the wanabee, counterfeit version of Elijah "Muhammed" and Louis Farrakan, which REAL Muslims totally disown.
See The 'Nation of Islam' is Not Islam
25 - td
I wondered how long it would take the Jacko-ites come out of the woodwork.
I love these threads for the sole reason that at some point word will spread to one of his fan sites and the one glove wearing mob will come in with posts like this:
"Michael jackson has the right to say what he wants to say, so Idon't know about this whole thing.
About Debbie she's is a bad parent, she has not right to tell that kind of information to the whole world."
lol.
Just one question. If MJ has the right to say what he wants. Why doesn't debbie?
It's like watching a 4 year old try to argue that the world is flat. Hilarious.