US Muslim Leaders Ready to Claim Jackson As One of Their Own

The rumors swirling around Michael Jackson's funerals continue. The latest news has a public ceremony in Neverland on Friday, followed by a likely private burial ceremony on Sunday--the site to be determined. The religion of Jackson at his death remains in question, although there are some indications that he may receive a Muslim funeral.

Eminent Muslim leaders are eager to welcome the King of Pop among their ranks. Here are some statements from well-known American Muslim leaders.

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf of the Zaytuna Institute:

"Given Michael’s reported conversion to Islam last year, Muslims count him as one of our own, and we pray that he can finally find the peace he never found in this world and that he is in a place, God willing, of mercy, forgiveness, and solace." [Full statement]

Siraj Wahhaj of of the Muslim Alliance in North America:

[Regarding the funeral services of Michael Jackson]

“Even if I stand in the back, I want to be there”. [Link]

Imam Johari Abdul Malik of Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center:

"I pray that Allah will have mercy on his soul and grant the family some privacy as they make the plans for a Muslim funeral...I pray that Muslims will respond to this loss our brother in every loving way possible." [Full statement]

Imam Zaid Shakir of the Zaytuna Institute:

"Now Michael is gone. Hopefully, he had found peace in Islam. Hopefully, the tears he cried in the privacy of his oftentimes lonely world, tears described by Smokey Robinson as those of a clown, shed when no one’s around, had dried." [Full statement]

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Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, prolific author and Islamic teacher at Yale University:

"I gave a khutbah at a masjid yesterday, the second half of which was dedicated to the passing away of Michael Jackson." [Full statement]

Arabic Michael Jackson

Who else has this kind of influence?

Islamic Burial for Michael Jackson?

There are many reports of Michael Jackson converting to Islam in November 2008. These claims yet remain unconfirmed, spurring controversy as to his religion at the time of his death. His brother Jermaine embraced Islam in 1989 and remains quite devout. After Jackson's passing, Jermaine said, “May Allah be with you, Michael, always", a clue that he may have been Muslim. The King of Pop has also resided in Bahrain, donated money to the construction of mosques, and has been known to be interested in Islam.

An additional clue, not reported in the media is how the body of Michael Jackson was transported from the UCLA Medical Center to the Los Angeles coroner in Boyle Heights. Jackson was taken by helicopter in what clearly appears to be a white shroud. In Islam, a dead body is wrapped in sheets of clean, white cloth known as a "kafan." In short time, we will find out if Jackson receives an Islamic burial, known as a janazah, or one favored by his parents, who are Jehovah's Witnesses. Even if Jackson has a Christian burial, we may not truly know the faith he held upon his death.

Was Jackson being transported in a kafan? You decide.




Example of a kafan

Remembering A Musical Genius