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090728
Some days ago I was contacted by a person who writes for wikiislam.com.
This person contacted me saying she was writing about Michael Jackson and about this rumor about him converting to Islam. She wanted to thank me for the stories I posted here and also she asked if I could read through what she had written because she doesn't know that much about Michael Jackson and was writing this article for wikiislam. What she did is incredible, and with that I mean all the research she put to it and how well so wrote it. This is something anyone who is interested in knowing the truth about this rumor should read. She proves in a very good and in a very credible way how untrue this story is.
I told her I would post this for you guys to read. I hope you will all enjoy it.
Just to remind everyone, what I wrote earlier about how this is not to start any religion discussion, is still how I feel about this Post.
http://www.wikiislam.com/wiki/Michael_Jackson
(I saw that my post looked very weird so I'm trying to edit so it looks like it did when I first posted it. 090723)
First of all, I just want to tell you guys that I AM NOT doing this to start any religion discussion or anything like that. I believe everyone is allowed to believe whatever they want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. This might have been posted here already but if it hasn't I think it's something that can be good for you to know. I think it's important to keep the memory of Michael the way it really was, not the way the media said it was.
If I however am breaking any MJJcommunity rules then I am sorry and ask you to remove this.
It will be a long post.
I was talking about this with some friends of mine who said they heard the rumor that Michael has converted to Islam (which is just fine if that is what he wanted). They really didn't believe me when I said it wasn't true. Then I found these statements and when I showed it to them they got kinda mad because they felt they've yet again got fooled by the media. They realized this was yet another lie.
" Lastly - many have been in touch with me over the past year to inquire about my personal relationship with Michael Jackson. A November 21, 2008 Sun (UK) article spread internationally stating that Michael had adopted the religion of Islam through friendship with both myself and my colleague Idris Phillips during recording sessions in Los Angeles.
For the record: Though our professional circles did cross-over slightly with various common professional acquaintances - I never had the honour or pleasure of meeting Micheal Jackson personally, nor did we ever correspond on matters of our professions, personal lives or faiths.”
-Dale Jamaluddin Marcell.
" Thank you for your question.
Though I cannot speak for Yusuf Islam, I personally did not release a public statement about the false November 2008 article (originally published in the Sun and subsequently appearing in numerous other major international papers) simply because tabloid papers, known for their poor journalism, cheap gossip and sensationalize of people’s lives, are of no interest to me.
Secondly - last year’s article appeared in the news only days before Mr. Jackson was to resolve sensitive legal matters with one of his previous financial backers. Publicly refuting the article may have only drawn more attention to the rumors surrounding Mr. Jackson’s faith - at a sensitive time for him - and been a cheap way of using his name/persona as a means of drawing attention to my own work.
Lastly - Mr. Jackson’s lawyer went on the record shortly after last year’s rumors spread and clearly stated that the initial article in the UK Sun was false. There was no need for me to say or do more. It is the responsibility of educated consumers to verify what they read - especially in poorly written tabloid papers.
With Mr. Jackson’s passing, religious communities have now shamelessly joined the media in a circus of sensationalizing his death. Out of respect to the Jackson family, and out of a desire to mourn his loss, I published this blog which I hope “clears the air” surrounding rumors of my involvement in Mr. Jackson’s religious choices.
My approach to faith does not include concepts of “conversion/reversion” or “propagation”, so the very idea that I would have even tried to “convert” Mr. Jackson (or anyone else for that mater) to my spiritual perspective, is silly. Nor is my faith validated by others who may adhere to scriptures, practices or traditions I may follow - regardless of who they are or how high profile they may be. Michael Jackson’s faith is quite plainly none of my business. I judge individuals by their actions and not by their places of worship.
My meditations, prayers and thoughts of good will go out to all of humanity - regardless of culture, creed or religious practice. As I respected Michael Jackson for his artistic abilities, positive writings and charity work - naturally he and his family are in my prayers.
- DW"
This can all be found on Dale Jamaluddin Marcel personal blog
http://wharnsby.com/blog1/2009/06/26/the-passing-of-michael-jackson/
"Contrary to persistent press rumours, I was not at any kind of conversion ceremony for Michael Jackson. Nor, I believe, was Dawud Wharnsby or any of the others mentioned in connection with the story. Granted, I was in Los Angeles at the time these rumours first appeared – but I was busy filming a video for a new song, Boots & Sand.
I have met Jermaine Jackson, Michael’s older brother, who became a Muslim some years ago. As for Michael himself, I hope that he finds inner peace and can return to making the kind of music that has inspired generations."
- Yusuf Islam
This can be found on his webpage
http://www.yusufislam.com/faq/did-yusuf-help-jackson-become/
Again, this is just in case someone need it for argumenting in situation when this can be talked about.
Not to make anyone angry or upset.
Some days ago I was contacted by a person who writes for wikiislam.com.
This person contacted me saying she was writing about Michael Jackson and about this rumor about him converting to Islam. She wanted to thank me for the stories I posted here and also she asked if I could read through what she had written because she doesn't know that much about Michael Jackson and was writing this article for wikiislam. What she did is incredible, and with that I mean all the research she put to it and how well so wrote it. This is something anyone who is interested in knowing the truth about this rumor should read. She proves in a very good and in a very credible way how untrue this story is.
I told her I would post this for you guys to read. I hope you will all enjoy it.
Just to remind everyone, what I wrote earlier about how this is not to start any religion discussion, is still how I feel about this Post.
http://www.wikiislam.com/wiki/Michael_Jackson
(I saw that my post looked very weird so I'm trying to edit so it looks like it did when I first posted it. 090723)
First of all, I just want to tell you guys that I AM NOT doing this to start any religion discussion or anything like that. I believe everyone is allowed to believe whatever they want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. This might have been posted here already but if it hasn't I think it's something that can be good for you to know. I think it's important to keep the memory of Michael the way it really was, not the way the media said it was.
If I however am breaking any MJJcommunity rules then I am sorry and ask you to remove this.
It will be a long post.
I was talking about this with some friends of mine who said they heard the rumor that Michael has converted to Islam (which is just fine if that is what he wanted). They really didn't believe me when I said it wasn't true. Then I found these statements and when I showed it to them they got kinda mad because they felt they've yet again got fooled by the media. They realized this was yet another lie.
" Lastly - many have been in touch with me over the past year to inquire about my personal relationship with Michael Jackson. A November 21, 2008 Sun (UK) article spread internationally stating that Michael had adopted the religion of Islam through friendship with both myself and my colleague Idris Phillips during recording sessions in Los Angeles.
For the record: Though our professional circles did cross-over slightly with various common professional acquaintances - I never had the honour or pleasure of meeting Micheal Jackson personally, nor did we ever correspond on matters of our professions, personal lives or faiths.”
-Dale Jamaluddin Marcell.
" Thank you for your question.
Though I cannot speak for Yusuf Islam, I personally did not release a public statement about the false November 2008 article (originally published in the Sun and subsequently appearing in numerous other major international papers) simply because tabloid papers, known for their poor journalism, cheap gossip and sensationalize of people’s lives, are of no interest to me.
Secondly - last year’s article appeared in the news only days before Mr. Jackson was to resolve sensitive legal matters with one of his previous financial backers. Publicly refuting the article may have only drawn more attention to the rumors surrounding Mr. Jackson’s faith - at a sensitive time for him - and been a cheap way of using his name/persona as a means of drawing attention to my own work.
Lastly - Mr. Jackson’s lawyer went on the record shortly after last year’s rumors spread and clearly stated that the initial article in the UK Sun was false. There was no need for me to say or do more. It is the responsibility of educated consumers to verify what they read - especially in poorly written tabloid papers.
With Mr. Jackson’s passing, religious communities have now shamelessly joined the media in a circus of sensationalizing his death. Out of respect to the Jackson family, and out of a desire to mourn his loss, I published this blog which I hope “clears the air” surrounding rumors of my involvement in Mr. Jackson’s religious choices.
My approach to faith does not include concepts of “conversion/reversion” or “propagation”, so the very idea that I would have even tried to “convert” Mr. Jackson (or anyone else for that mater) to my spiritual perspective, is silly. Nor is my faith validated by others who may adhere to scriptures, practices or traditions I may follow - regardless of who they are or how high profile they may be. Michael Jackson’s faith is quite plainly none of my business. I judge individuals by their actions and not by their places of worship.
My meditations, prayers and thoughts of good will go out to all of humanity - regardless of culture, creed or religious practice. As I respected Michael Jackson for his artistic abilities, positive writings and charity work - naturally he and his family are in my prayers.
- DW"
This can all be found on Dale Jamaluddin Marcel personal blog
http://wharnsby.com/blog1/2009/06/26/the-passing-of-michael-jackson/
"Contrary to persistent press rumours, I was not at any kind of conversion ceremony for Michael Jackson. Nor, I believe, was Dawud Wharnsby or any of the others mentioned in connection with the story. Granted, I was in Los Angeles at the time these rumours first appeared – but I was busy filming a video for a new song, Boots & Sand.
I have met Jermaine Jackson, Michael’s older brother, who became a Muslim some years ago. As for Michael himself, I hope that he finds inner peace and can return to making the kind of music that has inspired generations."
- Yusuf Islam
This can be found on his webpage
http://www.yusufislam.com/faq/did-yusuf-help-jackson-become/
Again, this is just in case someone need it for argumenting in situation when this can be talked about.
Not to make anyone angry or upset.
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