London
(ANI):
Michael
Jackson
has
converted
to
Islam,
and
has
changed
his
name
to
Mikaeel,
according
to
reports.
According
to
the
Sun,
the
50-year-old
singer
wore
traditional
Islamic
dress
as
he
pledged
his
allegiance
to
the
Koran
at
a
friend's
home
in
Los
Angeles.
Mikaeel
is
the
name
of
one
of
Allah's
angels.
Jackson,
who
was
raised
a
Jehovah's
Witness,
reportedly
decided
to
convert
after
discussing
religion
with
a
music
producer
and
songwriter
on
his
new
album
both
of
whom
were
converts
to
Islam,
says
reports.
"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," a
source
said.
"An
Imam
was
summoned
from
the
mosque
and
Michael
went
through
the
shahada,
which
is
the
Muslim
declaration
of
belief.
Jacko
rejected
an
alternative
name,
Mustafa
meaning
the
chosen
one,"
the
source
added.
Brit
singer
Yousef
Islam,
60,
who
was
called
Cat
Stevens
until
he
famously
converted,
turned
up
to
help
Jacko
celebrate.
Meanwhile,
Jackson
is
due
to
give
evidence
in
court
next
week
after
being
sued
by
Sheikh
Abdulla
bin
Hamad
Al
Khalifa,
second
son
of
the
King
of
Bahrain.
Sheikh
Abdulla,
who
is
seeking
7
million
dollars,
claims
he
helped
support
the
cash-strapped
Jackson
in
the
aftermath
of
his
child
molestation
trial.
Abdulla
claims
Jackson
promised
to
pay
back
the
money,
while
Jackson
says
he
thought
it
was
a
gift.
Jackson
is
expected
to
give
evidence
to
a
London
court
via
video
link
from
LA.