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• Pop star Michael Jackson reportedly converted to Islam at a Los Angeles ceremony attended by Yousef Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens. The ceremony took place at the home of Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro, and involved Michael formerly declaring his new Muslim faith and changing his name to Mikaeel.The Telegraph: Michael Jackson 'Converts to Islam and Changes Name to Mikaeel' (November 21, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Converted to Islam by taking the shahada—a declaration of faithThe Telegraph: Michael Jackson 'Converts to Islam and Changes Name to Mikaeel' (November 21, 2008)
  2. Changed his name to MikaeelThe Telegraph: Michael Jackson 'Converts to Islam and Changes Name to Mikaeel' (November 21, 2008)
  3. Rejected name "Mustafa," meaning "The Chosen One"The Telegraph: Michael Jackson 'Converts to Islam and Changes Name to Mikaeel' (November 21, 2008)
  4. Mikaeel was one of Allah's angelsThe Telegraph: Michael Jackson 'Converts to Islam and Changes Name to Mikaeel' (November 21, 2008)
  5. Location of ceremony: Home of Toto keyboardist Steve PorcaroThe Telegraph: Michael Jackson 'Converts to Islam and Changes Name to Mikaeel' (November 21, 2008)
  6. Other attendee: Yousef Islam (Cat Stevens)The Telegraph: Michael Jackson 'Converts to Islam and Changes Name to Mikaeel' (November 21, 2008)
  7. Jackson raised as a Jehovah's WitnessThe Telegraph: Michael Jackson 'Converts to Islam and Changes Name to Mikaeel' (November 21, 2008)
  8. Jackson died on June 26, 2009

• Effect of Brother's Conversion

  Jackson may have been inspired by the example of his brother, Jermaine Jackson, who converted to Islam in 1989. In 2007, Jermaine said that he expected Michael to convert at some point.The Telegraph: Michael Jackson 'Converts to Islam and Changes Name to Mikaeel' (November 21, 2008)

• Quotes

  "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."—Jermaine JacksonThe Telegraph: Michael Jackson 'Converts to Islam and Changes Name to Mikaeel' (November 21, 2008)

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