Celebrities Who Embraced Islam: Their Inspiring Journeys
Many well known figures have embraced Islam at different points in their lives. Some made their decision after years of study while others found faith through personal turning points or travel. Their stories span music, film, sport, and media and they reflect a wide range of backgrounds and cultures.
Below are twenty public figures who chose Islam and have spoken about that choice in interviews, books, documentaries, or public appearances. Each entry focuses on clear biographical facts and career context so you can see when and how their journey unfolded and how it has intersected with their work and public life.
Muhammad Ali
Born Cassius Clay in Louisville, he embraced Islam in 1964 and later adopted the name Muhammad Ali. He publicly affirmed his faith after winning the world heavyweight title and continued to deepen his understanding in the years that followed. In the mid seventies he aligned with Sunni Islam and remained Muslim for the rest of his life.
Ali visited Muslim communities around the world and made several trips to the holy cities. He spoke about prayer and charity in many appearances and supported humanitarian causes through the Muhammad Ali Center and other efforts connected to education and global understanding.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Raised in a Catholic household, he began studying Islam while at UCLA and embraced the faith as a young NBA player. He changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971 and maintained his religious practice throughout his basketball career and beyond.
He has written essays and books that touch on history, culture, and belief. He has also taken part in interfaith dialogues and educational initiatives that highlight literacy and science learning for young people.
Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens
The British singer songwriter explored faith after stepping away from the spotlight in the late seventies and embraced Islam in 1977. He adopted the name Yusuf Islam and paused mainstream recording for many years while focusing on study and community work.
He later returned to music under the name Yusuf and released new albums while maintaining his religious commitments. He founded educational and charitable projects that support relief work and schooling in multiple countries.
Sinéad O’Connor
The Irish singer announced her embrace of Islam in 2018 and took the name Shuhada Sadaqat. She shared her decision on social media and in interviews and began wearing a headscarf in public.
She continued to record and perform select material and also released devotional pieces. She spoke about learning to recite parts of the Quran and kept her legal and stage names as needed for different professional contexts.
Dave Chappelle
He embraced Islam in the early nineties and has mentioned his faith in interviews over the years. While he keeps his personal life private he has acknowledged how prayer and community shape his daily routine.
Chappelle has supported local institutions in his hometown area and has participated in events that raise funds for schools and arts programs. He has also referenced aspects of his faith journey in stand up sets without making it the focus of his shows.
Jermaine Jackson
He embraced Islam in 1989 after time spent in the Middle East during touring. He has spoken in documentaries and interviews about reading and meeting scholars before making his decision.
Jackson has taken part in charity concerts and relief events tied to Muslim organizations. He has visited Muslim majority countries for cultural festivals and has appeared on television programs discussing faith and family.
Mike Tyson
He embraced Islam in the early nineties and has used the name Malik Abdul Aziz in religious contexts. He has traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage and has shared images from those trips.
Tyson has appeared at community centers and youth programs to talk about discipline and training. He has also given interviews where he describes routine practices such as daily prayer and fasting in Ramadan when health and scheduling allow.
Franck Ribéry
The French footballer embraced Islam in the early two thousands after marrying Wahiba, who has Algerian heritage. He has discussed how the faith became part of his life as his professional career developed.
Ribéry has been observed praying before matches and has spoken about fasting during Ramadan when training schedules permitted. He has returned to his former clubs for youth events and clinics and remains connected to community programs in France and abroad.
Nicolas Anelka
The French striker embraced Islam in the mid two thousands and has explained that faith brought structure to his life. He has used an Arabic name in religious settings and has discussed his journey in a documentary about his career.
Anelka has played in several countries and often engaged with local Muslim communities. He has participated in youth outreach and coaching projects and has mentioned prayer and diet as parts of his professional routine.
Sonny Bill Williams
The New Zealand rugby star embraced Islam in 2009. He has described meeting friends who introduced him to Muslim communities while he was playing abroad and at home.
He has spoken publicly about prayer and family and has visited mosques in New Zealand and overseas. Williams has supported charity drives and relief appeals and has shared photos from visits to the holy cities during the off season.
Andrew Tate
He announced that he had embraced Islam in 2022. He has been photographed praying and has stated that he is learning foundational practices and scripture.
Tate has posted about visiting mosques and meeting local leaders. He has referenced fasting and daily prayer times while traveling and has appeared in online discussions about basic teachings.
Mahershala Ali
He embraced Islam in 2000 while studying acting and joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He has spoken about how he approached the decision through reading and attending services.
Ali has continued to work across film and television while observing prayer and community obligations. He has participated in interfaith events and has supported education and arts organizations with his wife.
Q-Tip
The rapper and producer embraced Islam in the nineties and adopted the name Kamaal Ibn John Fareed. He has referenced his faith in interviews and liner notes across different projects.
He has curated concerts and museum programs that showcase music history and cultural exchange. He has also worked as a DJ and producer while keeping religious practice part of his daily life.
MC Ren
The rapper known from NWA embraced Islam in 1993. He has stated that reading and conversations with friends led him to make the change during a transitional period in his solo career.
He has released recordings that include references to belief and personal discipline. He has also appeared at community events and podcasts where he discusses his background and study habits related to faith.
Loon
The former Bad Boy Records artist embraced Islam in 2011 and adopted the name Amir Junaid Muhadith. He has explained that travel and reflection away from the music industry played a role in his decision.
After returning to public life he has spoken at community centers and universities about faith and life choices. He has also taken part in mentoring programs and relief drives organized by Muslim charities.
Lauren Booth
The British journalist and broadcaster embraced Islam in 2010 following a period of reporting in the Middle East. She has described attending classes and reading before taking the step.
Booth has written about her journey and has participated in community events across the United Kingdom and abroad. She has worked with organizations focused on humanitarian aid and media literacy.
Kristiane Backer
The former MTV Europe presenter embraced Islam in 1995. She learned about the faith through friends while working across Europe in television.
Backer later authored a memoir about her path and has given talks at cultural centers and universities. She has continued to work in media and events while staying active in interfaith dialogue.
Myriam Francois
The British French actress and journalist embraced Islam in 2003. She has described how academic study and personal reading helped guide her decision.
Francois has presented documentaries and written for newspapers and magazines. She founded a production company that creates social issue stories and has moderated discussions on religion and public life.
Yusef Lateef
The jazz multi instrumentalist embraced Islam in 1948 and changed his name from William Emanuel Huddleston to Yusef Lateef. He was already an established musician in the Detroit scene at the time.
Lateef incorporated global influences into his compositions and taught music at the university level. He wrote books on music and creativity and remained connected to Muslim communities throughout his career.
Art Blakey
The legendary jazz drummer embraced Islam in the late nineteen forties and used the name Abdullah Ibn Buhaina during that period. He spent time in West Africa studying rhythm and returned to the United States with new musical ideas.
Blakey led the Jazz Messengers for decades and mentored generations of players. He kept ties to Muslim friends and colleagues and his chosen Muslim name inspired the nickname Bu that followed him on stage.
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