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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Jermaine Jackson Describes His Conversion to Islam |
| 2004-05-25 |
| It was way back in 1989 when I, along with my sister, conducted a tour to some of the countries of Middle East. During our stay in Bahrain, we were accorded warm welcome. There I happened to meet some children and had a light chitchat with them. I put certain questions to them and they flung at me their innocent queries. During the course of this interaction, they inquired about my religion. I told them, "I am a Christian." I asked them, as to what was their religion? A wave of serenity took over them. They replied in one voice "Islam." Their enthusiastic answer really shook me from within. Then they started telling me about Islam. They were giving me information, much in piece with their age. The pitch of their voice would reveal that they were highly proud of Islam. This is how I paced toward Islam. A very short interaction with a group of children ultimately led me to have long discourses about Islam with Muslim scholars. A great ripple had taken place in my thought. I made failing attempt to console myself that nothing had happened but I could not conceal this fact any longer from myself that at heart I had converted to Islam. This I disclosed first to my family friend, Qunber Ali. The same Qunber Ali managed to take me to Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia. Till that time, I did not know much about Islam. From there, in the company of a Saudi family, I proceeded for Mecca for the performance of "Umrah". There I made public for the first time that I had become Muslim. .... My family is the follower of that cult of Christianity, which is known as AVENDANCE of JEHOVA (Jehova’s Witness). According to its creeds, only 144,000 men would finally qualify to enter into paradise. It remained always a perplexing creed for me. I was surprised to know that Bible was compiled by so many men, particularly about a volume scripted by King James. I wondered if a man compiles a directory and then ascribes it to God, but he does not fully comply with these directions. During my stay in Saudi Arabia I have had the opportunity to buy a cassette released by the erstwhile British pop-singer and the present Muslim preacher, Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens). I learnt a lot from this as well. ... On my way back to America, I brought a number of books from Saudi Arabia. Michael Jackson asked me himself for some of these books for study. Before this, his opinion was influenced by the propaganda of American media against Islam and the Muslims. He was not inimical towards Islam, but he was not favorably disposed towards Muslims either. But after reading these books, he would keep mum and not say anything against Muslims. I think perhaps this is the impact of the study of Islam that he diverted his business interests towards Muslim traders. Now, he has equal shares with the Saudi billionaire prince Waleed bin Talal, in his multi-national company. .... Like other members of my family, my sudden conversion to Islam was a great surprise for her [sister Janet Jackson]. In the beginning, she was worried. She has stashed into her head only one thing that Muslims are polygamous, they do have as much as four wives. When I explained this permission granted by Islam with reference to the state of the present American society, she was satisfied. .... I have seven sons and two daughter who, like me, are fully Islamic-oriented. My wife is still studying Islam. She insists on going over to Saudi Arabia. I trust InshaAllah, she would sooner join Islam. May God Almighty give us the courage and perseverance to remain on this true religion, Islam. (Ameen) |
| Posted by:Mike Sylwester |
| #9 Who gives a shit? |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2004-05-25 6:25:58 PM |
| #8 You said it, BigEd. I don't think the Bible's meant to be taken that literally - which is a problem for some people, like this guy, evidently. But it seems to me that a book compiled by numerous authors over the centuries has a better chance of having something in it that's Inspired than the work of one man suffering heatstroke in the desert somewhere . . . |
| Posted by: The Doctor 2004-05-25 1:13:59 PM |
| #7 According to its [Jehova's Witness] creeds, only 144,000 men would finally qualify to enter into paradise. 144,000 only vs all men in the millions, and each gets 72 virgins. Seems to me that he felt he had better odds with Islam. As a non-cult Christian, seems to me God's not going to restrict the pleasantries of the afterlife to 0.001% of all humans who have ever lived. |
| Posted by: BigEd 2004-05-25 10:47:29 AM |
| #6 What section of the newspaper was this in, Where Are They Now?, or Who Cares? |
| Posted by: tu3031 2004-05-25 9:57:24 AM |
| #5 Curse you, Geranium Jackson, and your little dog, Tito, too. [cackle] |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2004-05-25 9:17:12 AM |
| #4 May we expect to see Janet butchered in an honor-killing for her breast-baring tomfoolery at the Superbowl? |
| Posted by: Chairman of The Bored 2004-05-25 8:54:08 AM |
| #3 "touch me, in the morning..." |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-05-25 8:19:11 AM |
| #2 Prediction: Michael Jackson will jump bail and flee to Saudi Arabia to escape U.S. prosecution on child molestation charges. He will convert to Islam and live out the rest of his life in Riyadh, running a home for needy young boys. What a family. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2004-05-25 6:18:03 AM |
| #1 I asked them, as to what was their religion? A wave of serenity took over them. They replied in one voice "Islam." Don't look in their eyes Jermaine, NOT THE EYES!! Shit the Islamo-hypno-voodoo-ray™ got him - TAKE COVER MEN!! |
| Posted by: Howard UK 2004-05-25 5:19:39 AM |