Celebs You Didn’t Know Were Muslim

Selebritis yang jarang diketahui kalau beragama islam

Islam is one of the most popular religions in the world and about 23% of the planet, or 1.57 billion people, are Muslims. Because the religion is so widespread, combined with the fact that most people are not so outspoken about their beliefs, people are often surprised to learn how many celebrities are in fact Muslim. Here are the 10 most famous celebs who are Muslim, and we bet you didn’t know.

Janet Jackson

Janet converted to Islam after marrying her third husband, billionaire Wissam al Mana. She now spends much of her time in his home country Qatar, being a devoted wife.

Dr Oz

Dr. Oz, rarely known by his full name Mehmet Cengiz Oz, is actually a Muslim. This makes sense since a lot of people from his native country Turkey are members of the religion.

Zayn Malik

One Direction’s former member, who caused consternation among fans when he left the band in 2015, was raised as a Muslim. He is, however, being constantly criticized by conservative Muslims on social media for not adhering to a traditional Muslim lifestyle.

Ellin Burstyn

The famous actress is mostly remembered from her roles in movies like The Exorcist and Requiem for a Dream. she converted to Islam when she was in her 30’s, and it’s surprising only because we’ve never heard her talk about her beliefs

Snoop Dogg

He was previously known as Snoop Dogg, but now that he’s switched to reggae his stage name is Snoop Lion. Although he was a member of the Nation of Islam, in 2012 he was born again and converted to the Rastafari movement. Maybe the Rastas have better weed than Muslims

Shaquille O'Neal

Actually, the basketball legend’s first and middle names Shaquille Rashaun mean “little warrior” in Arabic. He told the world of his faith in 2010 in a Youtube video when he discussed going on Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

Dave Chappely

This one really surprised us. We would have thought Dave Chappelle was an atheist, but as it turns out, he converted to Islam in 1998.

Gigi Hadid

The modelling sensation’s birth name is Jelena Noura Hadid, which not surprising considering that she was born to a Muslim dad who is a Jordanian-American real estate developer. She claims to be half-Palestinian

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson is probably the one person on our list least known for his beliefs. However, it tuns out he’s a pretty adamant believer. He converted in 1992.

Amal Cloney

The British-Lebanese human rights lawyer comes from a Muslim background and according to some reports is still a Muslim herself. Her father is Druze, an offshoot of Islam, and her mom is a Sunni Muslim

Busta Rhymes

This one’s no surprise for a rap fans. Those who are not familiar with his work may want to put on the song “Arab Money” as it got Busta in a lot of trouble.

Jermaine Jacson

He’s definitely not the most famous Jackson out there, but he may be the most individualistic. It’s interesting to note that his sister Janet also converted to Islam when she married her husband Wissam al Mana

Jemima Khan

The famous journalist was born and raised Jewish, but converted to Islam when she married her ex-husband Imran Khan, a Pakistani cricket player. She remains a Muslim despite having divorced Imran

Craigh Hodges

Basketball player Craig Hodges is known not only for his skills on the court but also for his activism. He is one of the biggest activists for minorities in the country.

Ice Cube

O’Shea Jackson, or rapper Ice Cube, calls himself a natural Muslim: “It’s just me and God. You know, going to the mosque, the ritual and the tradition, it’s just not in me to do. So I don’t do it.”

Muhammad Aly

The boxing legend was born in a mixed Baptist and Methodist household and was one of Malcolm X’s “Black Muslims.

Iman

Somali model Iman (“faith” in Arabic) was born as Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid. She identifies as a Muslim but doesn’t regularly practice the religion. She is also the widow of English rock musician David Bowie, whom she married in 1992

Mos def

The rapper and actor, whose real name is Dante Terrell Smith, received a formal introduction to Islam by his Muslim father in his adolescence. When he was 19 he took his shahada, the Muslim declaration of faith.

Faran Tahir

Faran is a Pakistani-American film and TV actor who has worked alongside some of the biggest Hollywood stars. That’s because Tahir was born into an acting Muslim family in L.A., where his Pakistani parents had been studying acting and directing at the UCLA

Kareem abdul Jabbar

Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. changed his name when he converted to Islam, and has a deep faith in Islam. This former basketball champion is so devout he has actually learned Arabic and spent time in Lebanon and Saudi to better understand his religion

Cat Steven

The famous singer shocked fans when he publicly converted to Islam and took the name Yusuf Islam in 1978. After his conversion, he rarely performed on stage but has recently begun to perform again, stating that many Muslims criticized him for wanting to get back into music.

Aasif Mandvi

This Indian-American comedian, best known for his role on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, defines himself as a “cultural Muslim.” “I feel like a lot of my work is about exploring that gap between cultures,” he said in an interview. He is also appearing now in the web series Halal in the Family which skewers Muslim stereotypes.

Malcolm X

The civil rights leader joined the Nation of Islam in the late 1940s but became publicly critical of the organization in 1965. He was assassinated by some of the group’s members

Akon

Hip Hop artist Akon has stated in the press that he is Muslim and that his full name is Aliaune Damala Akon Thiam

Mia Khalifa

The Lebanese American adult film star was born in Beirut, Lebanon and moved with her family to the United States in 2000. She was raised catholic, however she created a huge fuss when she appeared in a traditional hijab in one of her adult movies and even received death threats as a result of it.

Emma Watson

The British actress is a known feminist and activist, and serves as a UN Goodwill Ambassador. She strongly supports allowing refugees into Europe, and even dared to criticize Donald Trump for opposing it. In response, however, a new petition has been issued which calls Watson to spend a week at a Muslim migrant camp without her guards in order to put her beliefs to the test. Should she accept the challenge, who knows – she might just convert to Islam