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.
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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