In
a starling Interview, Jermaine Jackson, brother of world-famous star
Michael Jackson, tells how he embraced Islam.
Islam is a religion, which transcends all petty
prejudices of color, race and territorial boundaries. That is why
the followers of other religions, with a nearsighted vision, have a
sense of overflowing pride and relief when they embrace Islam.
Deserting the religion of one?s forefathers is one of the most
difficult decisions, but the golden principles and the virtues of
broadmindedness of Islam have persuaded mankind to adopt it as a way
of life.
Now, therefore, Islam has emerged as the greatest
religion of the world. Jermaine Jackson, brother of world-famous
Michael Jackson is one of those men who have left the religion of
their forefathers and made Islam the inseparable part of their life.
From Jermaine Jackson, he has re-named as Muhammad Abdul-Aziz. He
lives in one of the luxurious palaces in the outskirts of Los
Angeles (USA). The palace of Abdul-Aziz is surrounded by beautiful
gardens. This is the place where he and his sisters compose their
musical notes. This remains under surveillance of more than 15
security vans round the clock. This area which is known as ?Falis?
in Los Angeles is considered one of the most expensive areas the
world over London based Arabic "al-Mujallah" has recently published
an interview of Jermaine Jackson for the first time since he became
Muslim. In this interview, he has expressed his passionate love for
Islam. Let us see how he responded to various questions:
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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 Middle East. During our
stay in Bahrain, we were accorded 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 toward 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". 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 (Jehova's Witness). According to its creeds, only 144,000
men would finally qualify to enter into paradise. ?How comes, It
remained always a perplexing creed for me. I was surprised to know
that 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. The gossips were
let loose on me which really disturbed my peace of mind. The
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 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 Waleed bin 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 affectees. 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. To 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 the 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 the 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 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 to construct a similar mosque in ?Falise? area
because there is no mosques in this area and the Muslim community is
not resourceful enough 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
housed 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, she would sooner
join Islam. May God Almighty give us the courage and perseverance to
remain on this true religion, Islam. (Ameen)
