Pop superstar Michael Jackson has confirmed his conversion to Islam, according to reports in the Middle East.
The Arab-Israeli newspaper Panorama claims Jackson has announced the move and revealed plans to move to Bahrain, where he has purchased property.
The singer’s Muslim brother Jermaine Friday claimed the “Thriller” hitmaker had taken interest in the religion since Jermaine converted in 1989, and had been considering converting following his acquittal on child abuse charges in 2005.
Jermaine said, “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
“He read everything and he was proud of me that I found something that would give me inner strength and peace.
“I think it is most probable that Michael will convert to Islam.
“He could do so much, just like I am trying to do. Michael and I and the word of God, we could do so much.”
Michael Jackson is building a mosque
Pop superstar Michael Jackson has sparked further speculation he is on the verge of converting to Islam, after pledging to erect a mosque in his adopted home of Bahrain.
The Thriller hitmaker has won planning permission to construct a 30-metre (98-foot) building just outside Manama on land adjoining the palace of the Bahraini royal family.
The former Jehovah’s Witness has been living in the Middle Eastern nation since he was acquitted of child molestation charges in his native America last June (05). He was recently pilloried for appearing in a Muslim abaya robe, which is traditionally worn by females.
“Michael is looking to give something back to the country that has welcomed him so openly,” Jackson’s spokeswoman Ramone Bain was quoted by Contactnusic, as saying.
“Thousands of people are embracing Islam, Michael is just one of them,” Discover Islam spokesman Aman Khalib added.
