November 22, 2008	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 23, 1429

NEW YORK, Nov 21: A number of Western newspapers were awash with reports on Friday that singer Michael Jackson has converted to Islam and his Muslim name is Mikaeel.

According to newspapers in Los Angeles and New York, the singer wore traditional Islamic attire while reciting the Kalima at a friend’s mansion in Los Angeles.

Jackson, father of two, sat on the floor wearing a small cap after an Imam was summoned to officiate — days before the singer is due to appear at London’s High Court in a suit filed against him by a son of the king of Bahrain.

The conversion to Islam of his bosom friends, David Wharnsby, a Canadian songwriter, and producer Phillip Bubal, influenced Michael Jackson’s decision to change his faith. The friends’ new names are Dawud Wharnsby Ali and Idris Phillips.

According to a newspaper report, Michael Jackson has offered Islamic prayers a number of times at the Hollywood home of another friend.

Jackson is due to give evidence on Monday in a multimillion dollar lawsuit brought by Prince Abdulla Al-Khalifa.

The prince claimed he bankrolled the singer’s lavish lifestyle in Bahrain, during the days when Jackson was seeking solace from the agonising child abuse trial, for an exclusive recording contract. Prince Khalifa sent songs for him to record, but accused Michael Jackson of going back on his word.