All
around the country and across the world, millions of Muslims are
observing Ramadan, the month-long fast of the Islamic
faith that involves abstaining from food, liquids and even
swearing from sundown until sunset. Did you know these celebrities
observing the holiday too?
Like a lot of other inmates who
learn about Islam while being incarcerated, “Iron” Mike Tyson converted behind
bars. The heavyweight-boxing champ was serving prison time after he was found
guilty of raping former beauty queen Desiree Washington. After serving his
time, Tyson continued to practice his new faith. In 2010, he made the holy
pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and shared the experience with his
followers on Twitter: “I just left the Holy City of Mecca where I was blessed
to have been able to make Umrah…Inshallah (God willing), Allah will continue to
bless me to stay on the straight path.”
Jermaine Jackson sure loves the
spotlight. However, it may come as a surprise that one of the flashier Jacksons
is actually a Muslim. He converted to the religion after taking a trip to
Bahrain in 1989. Married to an Afghan native, the Jackson Five member explained
how he felt after converting. “Having embraced Islam, I felt born again,” he
said in an interview. I found the answers, which I had failed to find in
Christianity.”
Jermaine isn’t the only famous
Jackson member that is Muslim. Youngest sister Janet will be taking part of
Ramadan since tying the knot to Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana. Much like
every other aspect in her personal life, she kept this relationship a secret
and the announcement of her third marriage was made well after she tied the
knot. Jackson was also secretly married to her second husband Rene Elizondo for
years before revealing that he wasn’t just her boyfriend; he was her husband.
Born as O’Shea Jackson, Ice Cube
converted to Islam during the height of his career in the mid 90’s. Off of the
stage, the mild-mannered Compton native has delved into the world of acting and
has established himself as a bonafide actor. The “Today Was A Good Day” rapper
is currently starring in the comedy sequel “22 Jump Street.”
You probably wouldn’t know it by
some of the material that’s found in his stand-up routine but Dave Chappelle is
Muslim. He converted back in the late 90’s but don’t expect the comedian to go
around talking about the religion. He revealed why he’s so secretive about it
with in an interview with “Time” magazine: “I don’t normally talk about my
religion publicly because I don’t want people to associate me and my flaws with
this beautiful thing,” he said. “And I believe it is a beautiful religion if
you learn it the right way. It’s a lifelong effort.
For more than a decade, NBA All-Star
Shaquille O’Neal has dominated the boards and the basketball court. Raised in a
household with both a Christian mother and a Muslim stepfather, in 2010 the
four-time NBA champion revealed that he converted to Islam and he was planning on
taking the holy pilgrimage to Mecca in the near future.
He started out in the group Leaders
of the New School but soon he stood out from the other two
members and Busta Rhymes pursued a solo career soon and has never
looked back. While he doesn’t broadcast his religion, Busta Rhymes, who is
Muslim, received some flack a few years ago when he released the song “Arab
Money.” Both British and American Muslims deemed the song to be disrespectful
to Islam.
Calvin
Broadus, Jr. may change his name as much as he changes religion. He started out
as Snoop Doggy Dog in the early 90’s before dropping the second name and just
going by Snoop Dogg. Born in a Christian household, the “Gin & Juice”
rapper was reported to be a member of the Nation of Islam in 2009. But after a
trip to Jamaica, he went through a spiritual awakening and emerged as Snoop
Lion who was now a Rastafarian.
Perhaps best known for her Oscar-nominated
role in the 1973 film “The Exorcist,” Ellen Burstyn got her start on Broadway
before transitioning to the silver screen. Raised Catholic, Burstyn studied
under the tutelage of a Sufi Muslim teacher when she was in her late thirties.
The “Requiem for a Dream” actress has described herself as a spirit opening to
the truth.
Lupe Fiasco is definitely not your
typical rapper from Chicago. Born Wasalu Mohammed Jaco, the politically
conscious artist is a devout follower of Islam and is known for address societal
issues such as racism, poverty, gun violence and the disparity between the have
and the have nots in his lyrics. Never hiding his religion, some of Lupe’s
songs contain Islamic references and recitals.
He received a lot of attention right
out of the gate with his debut single “Locked Up” in 2004. Although he was born
here in the U.S., Akon spent a lot of his childhood in Senegal. A gifted
musician, the Newark transplant learned how to play five instruments. Akon has
been evasive when questioned about how many wives he has but he did give a
shout out to Allah in his song “Senegal.” One of the best career moves the
practicing Muslim ever made was signing Lady Gaga to his label before anyone
knew who she was.
He doles out sage medical advice and
useful tips on how to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle each weekday on
his show. But many would be surprised to find out that Dr. Mehmet Oz is a
Muslim. The Turkish American citizen grew up in a mixed Muslim household. His
father believed in Islam while his mother came from a more secular Muslim
background. Recently the television personality was in the hot seat during a
senate hearing on the authenticity of weight loss products in Washington, DC.
Like
a lot of other inmates who learn about Islam while being incarcerated,
“Iron” Mike Tyson converted behind bars. The heavyweight-boxing champ
was serving prison time after he was found guilty of raping former
beauty queen Desiree Washington. After serving his time, Tyson continued
to practice his new faith. In 2010, he made the holy pilgrimage to
Mecca in Saudi Arabia and shared the experience with his followers on
Twitter: “I just left the Holy City of Mecca where I was blessed to have
been able to make Umrah…Inshallah (God willing), Allah will continue to
bless me to stay on the straight path.” - See more at:
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