El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, more popularly known as Malcolm X - Black-rights activist and religious leader. In 1964, after going to Makkah to perform Hajj, he reverted to orthodox Islam. His new faith reflected his belief in brotherhood between blacks and whites.
Muhammad Ali – formerly Cassius Clay. This three-time heavy weight champion of the world reverted to orthodox Islam in 1965. To this day, the boxer is the most widely recognized sports personality in the world.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -- formerly Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor. Alcindor reverted from Catholicism to Islam before the 1971-72 season. Following his reversion, he took the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Before retiring in 1989, he spent 20 seasons playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. He is now the six-time Most Valuable Player and one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Hamdan Chris Eubank – British boxer. He reverted to Islam in March 1997, after defeating Camilo Alocon of Columbia at the Dubai Tennis Stadium in a light heavyweight contest. After his reversion he took the name Hamdan.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf – formerly Chris Jackson. He reverted to Islam in 1991. Most remember Abdul-Rauf when back in 1996 as a former Denver Nugget guard he refused to stand for the national anthem. His refusal to stand for the national anthem got him suspended by the NBA without pay.
Haiqa Khan – formerly Jemimah Goldsmith, Jewish daughter of billionaire Sir James. At the age of 21, she married famous Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan, reverted to Islam and took a Muslim name.
Queen Noor of Jordan -- formerly Lisa Najeeb Halaby. She is from a prominent Arab-American-Christian family. She reverted to Islam when she married the late King Hussein in June 1978. She changed her name to Noor al-Hussein -- the light of Hussein.
Cat Stevens -- Seventies British singer-songwriter (“Wild World” and “Peace Train”) He reverted to Islam in 1973 and left the music world. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam.
Abdullah Ibn Buhaina (1919-1990), also known as Art Blakey. He is an American drummer and jazz musician. His contribution to jazz from 1954 to 1990 as leader of the Jazz Messengers established the sound Hard Bop.
Mos Def – formerly Dante Smith. He is a recording artist, actor, and activist who converted to Islam in 1993. His 1999 album "Black on Both Sides," opens with “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim" (In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful). His tract "Umi Says" became the score for Michael Jordan's "Brand Jordan" Nike division 2001 broadcast campaign "Much Respect."
Go To Page: 1 2
