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Description: The brother of world-famous star Michael Jackson
tells how he embraced Islam. Part 1. By Jermaine Jackson (edited by www.IslamReligion.com) Published on 25 Oct 2014 |
 When and How did you start your journey towards Islam?
It was way back in 1989 when I, along with my sister,
conducted a tour to some of the countries of the Middle East. During our stay
in Bahrain, we were accorded a 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 towards 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" [A lesser type of pilgrimage performed
to Mecca]. There I made public for the first time that I had become Muslim.
What were your feelings after you proclaimed that you were a Muslim?
Having embraced Islam, I felt as if I were born
again. I found in Islam the answers to those queries which I had failed to
find in Christianity. Particularly, it was only Islam that provided
satisfactory answer to the question relating to the birth of Christ. For the
first time I was convinced about the religion itself. I pray my family members
might appreciate these facts. My family is the follower of that cult of
Christianity, which is known as AVENDANCE of JEHOVA (Jehovah’s Witness). According
to its creeds, only 144,000 men would finally qualify to enter into paradise. How
come? It remained always a perplexing creed for me. I was surprised to know
that the 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.
What happened when you got back to the US after embracing Islam?
When I returned to USA, American media
orchestrated heinous propaganda against Islam and the Muslims. Gossips were
let loose on me which really disturbed my peace of mind. Hollywood was
hell-bent upon maligning the Muslims. They were being projected as terrorists.
There are many things where there is consensus between Christianity and Islam, and
the Quran presents Holy Christ as a virtuous Prophet. Then, I wondered, why
Christian America levels baseless allegations against Muslims?
This made me gloomy. I made up my mind that I
would do my best to dispel the wrong image of Muslims, portrayed by the
American media. I had not the slightest idea that American media would not
digest the news of my accepting Islam and raise such a great hue and cry. It
was virtually acting against all its tall and much-publicized claims about the
freedom of expression and the freedom of conscience. So the hypocrisy of
American society came to surface and lay uncovered before me. Islam unknotted
many complications for me. As a matter of fact, I came to think of myself as a
complete human being, in the literal sense of the word. After becoming Muslim,
I felt a tremendous change in me. I discarded all thing prohibited in Islam. This
made things difficult for my family too. In short, the Jackson family tumbled
altogether. Threatening letters poured in, which further intensified the
worries of my family.
What sort of threats?
Well, they
would tell me that I had nurtured the
animosity of American society and culture, by entering into the laps of
Islam,
you have deprived yourself of the right to live with others. WE would
make
life unbearable for you in America so on, so forth. But I confess that
my
family is broadminded. We have held all religions in esteem. Our
parents have
trained and groomed us in that way. Therefore, I may say that the
Jackson family enjoys friendly relation with people belonging to almost
all religions. This
is the result of that training that I am being tolerated by them so far.
What was the reaction of your brother Michael Jackson?
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 Al-Waleed ibn Talal in his multi-national company.
It was said earlier that Michael Jackson was against Muslims, then there are rumors that he had become Muslim. What is the real story?
I testify this fact, at least there is nothing
in my knowledge that Michael Jackson ever said anything derogatory against
Muslims. His songs, too, give message of love for others. We have learnt from
our parents to love others. Only those who have their own ax to grind hurl
allegations on him. When there can be a nasty uproar against me when I became
Muslim, why can it not be so against Michael Jackson. But, so far, media has
not subjected him to scathing criticism, although he is threatened for his
getting somewhat closer to Islam. But who knows what would it look like when
Michael Jackson embraces Islam.
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Description: The brother of world-famous star Michael Jackson
tells how he embraced Islam. Part 2. By Jermaine Jackson (edited by www.IslamReligion.com Published on 16 Jun 2014 |
What are the views of the rest of the members of your family about you?
When I returned to America, my mother had
already heard the news of my conversion to Islam. My mother is a religious and
civilized woman. When I reached home, she put forth only one question, "you
have taken this decision all of a sudden, or is it the outcome of some deep and
long thinking behind it?" "I have decided after a lot of thinking about it," I
replied, let me say we are known as a religious family. Whatever we possess,
is due to the blessing of God. Then why we should not be grateful to Him? This
is why we actively participate in the charity institutions. We dispatched
medicines to the poor African countries through special aircraft. During
Bosnian war, our aircraft were engaged in supplying aids to the [affected]. We
are sensitive to such things because we have witnessed abject poverty. We used
to live in a house which was hardly a few square meters capacious.
Did you ever discuss about Islam with your sister pop star Janet Jackson?
Like other members of my family, my sudden
conversion to Islam was a great surprise for her. 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. This is fact that promiscuity and infidelity is
very common in the western society. In spite of the fact that they are
married, western men enjoy extramarital relations with a number of women. This
has caused devastating moral decay in that society. Islam safeguards the
social fabric from this destruction.
As per Islamic teachings, if a man is
emotionally attracted towards a woman, he should honorably give this relation a
legal shape otherwise he must be contented with only one wife. On the other
hand, Islam has laid down so much conditions for second marriage that I do not
think that an ordinary Muslim can afford to meet these conditions financially.
There is hardly one percent Muslims in the Islamic world who have more than one
wife. In my view, the women in an Islamic society is just like a
well-protected flower which is safe from the stray penetrating looks of the
viewers. Whereas western society is devoid of the vision to appreciate this
wisdom and philosophy.
What are your spontaneous feelings when you look at the Muslim society?
For the larger interest of humanity, Islamic
society presents the safest place on this planet. For instance, take the
example of women. American women are clad in their out-fit in such a manner
that gives temptation to the male for harassment. But this is unthinkable in
an Islamic society. Besides, the prevalent sins and vices have disfigured the
moral fabric of western society. I believe if there is any place left where
humanity is still visible, it can not be anywhere else than in an Islamic
society. Time would come when the world would be obliged to accept this
reality.
What is your candid opinion about the American media?
American media is suffering from
self-contradictions. Take the example of Hollywood. The status of an artist
is measured here keeping in view the model of his car, the standard of this
restaurant that he visits, etc. This is the media that raises someone from the
dust to the skies. They do not consider the artist as a human being. But I
have met so many artists in the Middle East. They have no misplaced arrogance
in them.
Just look at CNN, they do that much exaggeration
about some news that it appears that nothing else has happened except that
event in the world. The news of fire in the forests of Florida was given such
a wide coverage as it gave the impression that the whole globe has caught fire.
In fact, it was a small area, which was affected by that fire.
I was in Africa, when the bomb-blast took place
in Oklahoma City. The Media, without any proof, started hinting at the
involvement of Muslims in that blast. Later on the Saboteur turned out to be a
CHRISTIAN!!! We may term this attitude of American media as its willful
ignorance.
Can you maintain a linkage between your Islamic between your Islamic personality and the culture of your family?
Why not? This linkage can be kept up for the
achievement of good things.
After becoming Muslim, did you ever happen to see Muhammad Ali?
Muhammad Ali is our family friend. I have met
him a number of times, after embracing Islam. He has provided useful guidance
about Islam.
Have you visited Shah Faisal mosque in Los Angeles city?
Yes, of course! This is a beautiful mosque. I am
myself interested in constructing a similar mosque in Falise area because there
is no mosques in this area and the Muslim community is not resourceful enough
to purchase a piece of land for a mosque in such a posh area. God willing, I
would do it.
Who is ignorant of the services of Saudi Arabia for the glorious cause of Islam?
No doubt it
has leisurely financed the projects
for mosques. But this American media even does not spare Saudi Arabia;
it spreads quite strange news about this country. When I first visited
Saudi Arabia, I had the impression that there would be muddy houses and a
very poor communication
network. But when I reached there, to my great surprise, I found it
culturally
the most beautiful country of the world.
Who has influenced you, so far as Islam is concerned?
Many persons have impressed me. But the fact is
that first I turn to the Holy Quran, therefore I do not run a risk of getting
strayed on the way. However, there are many Islamic scholars that one can be
duly proud of. God willing, I plan to go to Saudi Arabia with my family to
perform Umrah.
Your wife and children are Muslims too?
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 [God-Willing], she would sooner
join Islam. May God Almighty give us the courage and perseverance to remain on
this true religion, Islam. (Ameen)
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