About Islam

Was Michael Jackson a Muslim?

2009-07-02T04:41:58Z

Like many aspects of singer Michael Jackson's life, his religious faith remains a mystery. Rumors are that he had embraced Islam this past November, with others declaring that these reports are invalid. Jackson's family has not yet announced funeral and burial arrangements, but there is speculation that Jackson might be buried in accordance with Islamic tradition.

There are some clues that perhaps Michael Jackson had indeed embraced Islam:

His older brother, Jermaine, has been a Muslim for the past 20 years and has spoken publicly about his faith. He reportedly talked to his brother about Islam and was hoping that he might convert. When announcing his brother's death, Jermaine commented, "May Allah be with you, Michael, always."

In 2005-06, Jackson spent nearly a year living in the Muslim country of Bahrain.

In November 2008, several news agencies reported that Michael Jackson had embraced Islam in a brief ceremony in Los Angeles. Both the Telegraph and NY Post tabloids ran stories about the conversion.

However, there are also signs that perhaps these assumptions are misleading. Several Muslims who were reported to be present or involved in Jackson's conversion process have recently made statements indicating that they did not attend any conversion ceremony, and indeed had never even met the singer.

The Canadian Muslim singer Dawud Wharnsby Ali posted on his blog the following clarification: "Though our professional circles did cross-over slightly with various common professional acquaintances - I never had the honour or pleasure of meeting Michael Jackson personally, nor did we ever correspond on matters of our professions, personal lives or faiths."
Singer Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens) also posted a statement: "Contrary to persistent press rumours, I was not at any kind of conversion ceremony for Michael Jackson."

In the end, only God knows the intentions of people's hearts, and He Alone is the One to judge.

Jackson's family has taken his body to a private funeral home, are awaiting an independent autopsy, and arrangements for his burial are confidential at this time. Michael Jackson's recently-released will, dated in 2002, does not mention any burial wishes. If the family believes that Jackson was indeed a Muslim, then he would presumably be buried in an Islamic burial ceremony (janazah). Such plans are not known or announced at this time.

Photo: Michael Jackson at a 1983 awards ceremony in London (Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

H1N1 Effects on Pilgrimage Travel

2009-06-25T05:19:25Z

The rising spread of the H1N1 virus is beginning to affect travel plans for those intending to visit Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage this year. The off-season pilgrimage (umrah) season gets into full swing around Ramadan, which this year will begin in mid-August. The Grand Mufti of Egypt has advised potential pilgrims to delay umrah travel to help prevent further spread of the H1N1 virus.

This year, the annual Hajj will fall in November -- right at the beginning of flu season.

So far, Saudi authorities have resisted any travel bans. They cite the country's preparation and expertise in disease control, and insist that they are well-prepared to control the spread of the virus. Aside from the H1N1 virus, there is always potential for disease outbreaks when such large numbers of people gather, and there have been no disease threats among pilgrims in recent years.

Today, pilgrim traffic in Mecca is the same as usual, with groups arriving from Malaysia, Turkey, Iran, and many other countries. A few wear face masks during the pilgrimage rites, but otherwise it seems to be life as usual in Mecca.

Will you rearrange or delay your umrah or Hajj travel plans due to H1N1? Share your comments.

ACLU on Muslim Charitable Giving

2009-06-19T07:43:39Z

The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) issued a report this week regarding U.S. government restrictions on Muslim charitable giving. President Obama referred to this problem in his recent speech from Cairo: "...in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That's why I'm committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat."

According to the ACLU Report (titled "Blocking Faith, Freezing Charity"):

"The government's actions have created a climate of fear that chills American Muslims' free and full exercise of their religion through charitable giving, or Zakat, one of the "five pillars" of Islam and a religious obligation for all observant Muslims."

In December 2001, in the middle of Ramadan of that year, the Treasury Department froze the assets of the three largest Muslim charities in the U.S. None had previously been on any government watch list. Since then, several others have also been designated as terrorist organizations, have been declared to be "under investigation," or have been raided. Individual donors, who made good-faith donations to legal charities, have been intimidated, questioned, or threatened with prosecution for "material support" of terrorism.

All of this has been done through the use of secret evidence, non-transparent procedures, and lack of due process. The ACLU states:

"Today, the Treasury Department has virtually unchecked power to designate groups as terrorist organizations. Terrorism financing laws are overly broad and lack procedural safeguards that would protect American charities against government mistake and abuse. They do not require the Treasury Department to disclose the evidence on which it bases decisions to designate charities, not even to the accused charities themselves."

The Islamic institution of zakat is meant to help the poor, widows, orphans, and others in need. Government officials have acknowledged that many of the designated "terrorist organizations" actually do run hospitals, orphanages, and the like. Thus it is quite difficult for the average Muslim family to determine whether a donation intended for charitable causes is being rerouted to illegal activities. Most remaining Islamic charitable organizations report a severe decline in donations, and face difficulty ensuring the public that their programs are legitimate. The fear and lack of information about government actions makes Muslims in the U.S. hesitant to participate in this important aspect of their faith.

What's Happening in Iran?

2009-06-18T05:17:37Z

People say that religion and politics don't mix, and I agree. However, there are places in the world where politics cannot be separated from religion -- such as modern Iran. You've seen the headlines, heard the commentary, and if you're like me... you can't make any sense out of it all. What exactly is going on? About.com covers the background, the players, and the controversy.

Who's Who? Profiles of the Major Players

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - Incumbent
Mir-Hossein Moussavi - Challenger
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - Supreme Leader

What's the Problem?

"Put simply, Iranian governance is democratic in appearance, theocratic in character and dictatorial in intent... The system�s complexities is in large part an effective if paradoxical way of disarming criticism of Iranian 'democracy' while making it supremely difficult for reformers to break into the system and sway it their way." -Pierre Tristam, Middle East Issues

Who Rules Iran? (Middle East Issues)

Why Is It Important?

Iran Nuclear Issue (Terrorism Issues)
Is Iran a Nuclear Threat to Israel? (Middle East Issues)
The US-Iranian Relationship (US Foreign Policy)
Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program: Ambition or Reality? (Middle East Issues)
Iran and Terrorism (Terrorism Issues)
Human Rights in Iran (Civil Liberties)

How Does Religion Come Into Play?

Photo: In Tehran, a supporter of defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi participates in a protest. (Getty Images)

Muslim Voices: Arts and Ideas

2009-06-09T03:39:57Z

A ten-day festival of Islamic art and culture kicked off last weekend in New York City. The event is sponsored by BAM, the Asia Society, and NYU's Center for Dialogues, and runs from June 5th-14th. The "Muslim Voices: Arts and Ideas" program includes music, film, dance, poetry, lectures, debates, and visual art exhibitions by more than 100 local and international Muslim artists.

Senagalese singer Youssou N'Dour (recently awarded a Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album) kicked off the musical segment of the event on Saturday evening with a sold-out live performance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The Village Voice online magazine commented:

"It's altogether appropriate that this festival is happening in a city once victimized by terrorism. We've seen the worst from the extremists; now it's time to experience the best from the artists."

For a full list of event locations and times, please visit the Muslim Voices: Arts and Ideas website.

Photo: Youssou Ndour attends the premiere of the documentary film "Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love." The film is being screened during the "Muslim Voices" festival in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)

Obama's Audience

2009-06-04T10:49:54Z

In his much-anticipated "speech to the Muslim world" on Thursday, President Obama spoke directly to a crowd of thousands at Cairo University in Egypt. As the speech was broadcast live throughout the world, he reached out to the wider Muslim world with words of respect, hope, and challenge.

Obama's recent visits with regional leaders give evidence that Obama is engaging in the issues and has hope for resolution of key conflicts. Regional commentators continue to remind, however, that in the end it will be actions, not words, that define Obama's political success.

More than any previous U.S. President, Obama has directly outreached to the Muslim community without hesitation or apology. In preparing his Cairo speech, CNN reports that he instructed his staff to "cast a wide net" for opinions, including from Muslim-Americans. He does not seem to be a man who steers away from controversy, but addresses issues head-on. In this speech, he directly addressed U.S. policy on the issues of:

Combating violent extremism
The Israeli-Palestinian issue
Nuclear weaponry rights and responsibilities
Democracy
Religious freedom
Women's rights
Economic development and opportunity

As I listened to this speech, though, I also thought that in many ways that Obama's words should be addressed to the people of his own country. Obama praised the "harmony between tradition and progress" represented by his hosts: Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest institutes of learning in the world, and the more modern Cairo University. Throughout his address, Obama made reference to Islam as a faith of learning, a tradition of "religious tolerance and racial equality." He spoke with honor about the contributions that Muslims have made to American history and culture. He defended a Muslim's right to religious freedom, and pointed out that Muslim-Americans have higher incomes and educational levels than the national average.

Obama stated clearly that "Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism -- it is an important part of promoting peace."

They were words that the Muslim world perhaps wanted to hear, but that audiences in the U.S. should hear. Obama himself described that many people in the U.S. "view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights." Obama's understanding of Islamic history and culture is one that should be encouraged and shared.

More From Middle East Issues at About.com:

SISTERS Who CAIR

2009-06-01T11:55:28Z

Next week, two Islamic advocacy organizations in the United States will team up to support and participate in the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure. This annual walking/running race strives to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and SISTERS, a women's advocacy organization based in Virginia, are joining together to form a single team for this year's race on June 6th.

Some race funding helps support the Muslim Community Center Medical Clinic in Maryland. This medical center provides care to any adult without health care coverage, regardless of religion, country of origin, race, creed, or gender.

In an interview with the Baltimore Muslim Examiner, community organizers encouraged Muslims "to participate in events and causes that not only affect the Muslim community, but the world at large."

As a loving family member of two strong women who have battled breast cancer, I encourage everyone to support this important event.

Photo: The 2005 "Race for a Cure" attracted thousands to Washington's streets. Courtesy of Linda Spillers/Race for the Cure via Getty Images.

Islamic Swimwear

2009-05-26T08:29:33Z

My family and I visited the coast of Saudi Arabia recently, and found that even women who are modestly dressed can and do engage in all sorts of water sports. Women were jet skiing, swimming, and even scuba diving while observing hijab. Some went out in their regular "street" clothing, but more often I am seeing women who have purchased from one of the companies that offer modest but safe swimwear. Some of the fashions seem a bit strange-looking at first, but the variety and style of the available designs is rapidly growing.

In California, one such swimwear company was founded by a marine biologist who wanted to continue scuba diving after she began observing hijab. Another is based in Australia, and sells not only to Muslims but to people of other faiths and lifestyles who want more coverage in a swimsuit. The Australian company offers a style called the "burkini," which is used by female Muslim lifeguards in that country. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The goal of the "Islamic swimwear" industry is to help and encourage more Muslim women to become physically active. Many women refrain from swimming or other water activities because of the lack of clothing alternatives. Swimming in street clothing is unsafe and unsanitary, and in most places not allowed for these reasons. Unless the pool is private for women only, Muslim women who observe hijab will not wear any type of swimsuit that does not cover the body fully. These "Islamic" swimsuit companies open up a door for such women to participate.

The "Islamic swimsuit" is not universally accepted. Some Muslims find that they are still too body-hugging, even with long sleeves and draped fabrics. Some swimming pools find that they are too strange-looking, even if they are made from acceptable swimsuit materials such as lycra. One British woman has blogged about her experience at the Oxford's David Lloyd's fitness club, where her swimming outfit was initially rejected.

Full-coverage swimsuits offer a compromise which is acceptable to many. If it means that more women become physically active in outdoor water sports, it can only be for the best.

Muslim Women in Political Positions

2009-05-18T04:26:28Z

The Kuwait Times reports that for the first time, women have been elected to parliamentary positions in that country. In Sunday's election, four women were selected by the voting public to represent them in the 50-seat Kuwaiti Parliament.

Some Muslims object to women running for public office. They feel that women belong in the private sphere of domestic life, and that public duties should be held by men. However, Islamic law and Islamic scholars indicate that public leadership positions should be held by qualified, able individuals -- whether male or female. The only exception made is for the single position of Head of State, which most scholars agree is most appropriately held by a man. Otherwise, the Prophet Muhammad appointed women to positions of authority, took their advice on political matters, and even fought alongside them on the battlefield.

In Kuwait, the four women who have been elected to public office are all Ph.D. scholars, educated in the U.S., and with decades of experience in higher education, economics, and political science. Nobody can argue that they are somehow unqualified simply because they are women. Another example has occured in Saudi Arabia recently, where the King appointed the first woman to a Ministerial position, also because she was the best-qualified for the job.

For a woman to serve her country in this capacity is an honorable choice and in the public's interest.

Pope Benedict XVI Reaches Out To The Muslim World

2009-05-10T16:10:48Z

In the midst of his visit to the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI has made comments of hope and respect for Muslim-Christian relations. The Arab News reports that he spoke of his "deep respect for the Muslim community" and hope for further understanding of "the virtues proclaimed by Islam."

These words are quite different from those of his 2006 lecture, when Benedict quoted a 14th-century Byzantine text which criticized Islam and the Prophet Muhammad with these words: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." With this visit, the Pope seems to want to reconcile and set a new tone.

The About.com Guide to Middle East Issues, Pierre Tristam (himself a Catholic Arab) questions whether or not the Pope can be relevant in the Middle East. Would he be able to open doors and initiate dialogue about the real heart of the Middle East conflict, which is the Israeli occupation? In today's speeches, the Pope acknowledged the emigration of Christians from the Holy Land, encouraging them to remain faithful and strong. Does he realize that many of those who left are educated Christian Palestinians who have moved to Europe or North America to escape the chokehold of Israeli occupation?

The Pope is visiting Christian sites in the country of Jordan before continuing on to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories beginning on Monday.

Photo: Pope Benedict XVI and Jordanian Prince Ghazi Bin Talal arrive at the King Hussein bin Talal Mosque on May 9, 2009 in Amman, Jordan. (Carsten Koall/Getty Images)