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Better days<\/div>\n

<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

When I performed the hajj for the first time in 1985, I found myself at Saudi Arabian customs \u2013 a young American from Los Angeles who had never left his country, much less experienced another culture first-hand. As the passport control official looked over my documents, ascertaining my nationality, his eyes widened. He leaned over the counter and asked me only one question before letting me on my way.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know Michael Jackson?\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to overestimate the impact Jackson, who died yesterday of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles at the age of 50, had on the world in general, much less the Muslim world. But rarely has there been such a pervasive export of American culture than that contained in a skinny, androgynous figure who floated across the stage and made everybody simply want to get up and dance. Who else on earth could get tens of thousands<\/a> from around the world to replicate 25-year old dance moves and synchronize them over the Internet, year after year? Or Filipino prisoners<\/a>, for that matter?<\/p>\n

It is a testament to how deeply he affected the world that everyone wanted to claim him, including Muslims. Whether it was mistaking South African nasheed artist Zain Bhikha\u2019s<\/a> song \u201cGive Thanks to Allah\u201d as one sung by Jackson, or the unsubstantiated reports<\/a> in 2007<\/a> and 2008<\/a> that Jackson had converted to Islam (reports denied by both Yusuf Islam<\/a> and Dawud Wharnsby Ali<\/a>, both of whom were said to be present when it happened), even critics of his lifestyle seemed eager to embrace the possibility. Scores of e-mails and Internet pages have been dedicated to approving or disapproving the rumours (Sample joke: Jackson was the first person to wear a face veil before<\/i> becoming a Muslim). <\/p>\n

Jermaine, the brother of Michael who converted to Islam in 1989, has made many public statements regarding his wish to share Islam with Michael. \u201cWhen I came back from Mecca I got him a lot of books and he asked me lots of things about my religion and I told him that it\u2019s peaceful and beautiful,\u201d said Jermaine. \u201cHe could do so much, just like I am trying to do. Michael and I and the word of God, we could do so much.\u201d These efforts were reinforced by Jackson\u2019s brief stay in Bahrain<\/a>, where he sought refuge with princes there after his 2004 child-molestation court case and aquittal in Santa Maria, California. Jermaine\u2019s friendship with rulers there led to a strange tangle where mosques would be exchanged for songwriting credits and, perhaps, confirmation of the world\u2019s most famous convert. Jackson later fled, incurring a $7 million lawsuit from the jilted royals. <\/p>\n

Of course, the potential conversion of such a superstar \u2013 such as with Madonna\u2019s Kabbalah<\/i> \u2013 segued nicely in the tabloids with his legacy of eccentric and controversial behaviour. But with this news came a sense from Muslims that the rush to adopt Mikaeel<\/i> as a brother was based less on a repudiation of his career (the sort that would have occurred if, say, Hugh Hefner converted) than an embrace of it \u2013 all his controversies notwithstanding. Like young people elsewhere around the world, many Muslims simply loved Michael, for his gentle persona, his raw talent, or the pop culture seed planted in their subconscience. Regardless of socio-cultural, generational, or linguistic backgrounds, Jackson\u2019s music was the secret soundtrack to our youth. <\/p>\n

Last year, a Sikh-Muslim dance duo named Signature<\/a> came in second place on the TV contest Britain\u2019s Got Talent<\/i> on the strength of a single act \u2013 a Bollywood-tinged tribute to Jackson\u2019s Billie Jean<\/i>, and made a small career repeating the routine over and over. Yes, Jackson\u2019s legions of fans would not even tire of repetitive imitations<\/i> of him, much less the man himself \u2013 or, at least, the 80\u2019s version of himself that resonates with generation after generation.<\/p>\n

Today, with the news of his death, there are enquiries from Muslims about the permissibility of an autopsy<\/a> (short answer: yes) or whether or not janaza<\/a><\/i> prayers will be held for him (short answer: maybe). Scores of others grapple with conflicted feelings, growing up<\/a> with his music (\u201charam as it is\u201d), but wanting to honour him<\/a> as a Muslim if his conversion was to be believed. His impending burial will be another clue to that. <\/p>\n

But for now, Jackson will likely be given the benefit of the doubt as people associate his innovations as an entertainer with the best of his intentions \u2013 to bridge gaps between people and make people smile. That someone with his influence could have benefited \u2013 and benefited from \u2013 Islam is now an academic discussion that will be pondered for as long as Jackson\u2019s music lives on. \u201c May Allah be with you<\/a>, Michael, always. Love you,\u201d said Jermaine at a press conference announcing Jackson\u2019s passing yesterday. And with that, Michael\u2019s association with Islam and Muslims \u2013 wanted or not \u2013 was made eternal.<\/p>\n

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com. He is based in London, England<\/i><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"