MICHAEL Jackson has converted to Islam and changed his name to Mikaeel, according to reports. ~ Precious Moments Frozen in Time

Michael Jackson in Muslim women's clothing

Troubled pop star Michael Jackson has converted to Islam and changed his name to Mikaeel.

Jackson, 50, was dressed in the Islamic garb as he pledged his allegiance to the Koran at a friend's house in Los Angeles. He sat on the floor as an Imam was called to officiate the ceremony.

Jackson, who was raised a Jehovah's Witness, decided to convert after discussing religion with a music producer and songwriter on his new album - both of them converts to Islam.

"They began talking to him about their beliefs and how they thought they had become better people after they converted. Michael soon began warming to the idea. An Imam was summoned, and Michael went through the shahada, which is the Muslim declaration of belief," a source was quoted as saying.

Mikaeel is the name of one of Allah's angels.

Jackson, who was raised a Jehovah's Witness, reportedly decided to convert after discussing religion with a music producer and songwriter on his new album - both of whom were converts to Islam.

The Sun reported singer Yousef Islam - formerly knowns as Cat Stevens - turned up to help Jackson celebrate.

Jackson is due to give evidence in court next week after being sued by Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, second son of the King of Bahrain.

Sheikh Abdulla, who is seeking $US7 million ($10.7 million), claims he helped support the cash-strapped Jackson in the aftermath of his child molestation trial.

Sheikh Abdulla claims Jackson promised to pay back the money, while Jackson says he thought it was a gift.

Jackson is expected to give evidence to a London court via video link from LA.

MJ is following a path of many African-Americans under stress turning to some form of Islam. Their ranks include some notable high-profile cases:

Malcolm X: the Nation of Islam leader converted while serving time in prison in 1948.
Tawana Brawley: the much-publicized hoaxer converted after the exposure of her claim of being gang raped by white men.
Benjamin Chavis: the head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People converted after his scandal-ridden eviction.
John Allen Muhammad: the Beltway Sniper converted after a bruising divorce.
Henry Tillman: the Olympic gold-medal heavyweight boxing medalist converted while in prison on charges of murder.
Mike Tyson: the heavyweight boxing champion converted while in prison, serving time for rape.
James Ujaama: the celebrated community activist who had battled drugs and prostitution converted to Islam at a time of career problems; he later pleaded guilty of conspiring to help the Taliban.

Also, O.J. Simpson, the football star accused of murdering his wife, recalls, "when I was incarcerated I read the Koran," but he apparently did not go on to convert.

Mr. Farrakhan has won himself much attention by ostentatiously backing well-known American blacks who find themselves in trouble, such as he did for Michael Jackson after the 2003 arrest. Other figures include:

Marion Barry, the mayor of Washington, convicted for illegal drug consumption.
Alcee Hastings, an impeached Federal judge in Florida.
Gus Savage, a U.S. congressman from Illinois, charged with sexual harassment.
George Stallings, a Catholic priest accused of child molestation.

Also, during the high-profile 2004 trial of Lionel Tate, then the youngest-ever American sentenced to life in prison without parole (for killing a little girl when he was 12 years old), the Nation of Islam (according to the Palm Beach Post) stationed about 20 "black men dressed in sleek suits and bow ties" in the courthouse. Their leaders "spoke with the teen's attorneys, offering advice on security."

These and other examples establish Islam – in both its normative and Nation variants – as a leading solace for African-Americans in need. That helps explain why the United States has by far the largest Muslim convert population in the Western world (about 750,000 adherents). Each black public figure who converts to Islam or accepts Nation of Islam support creates an added impetus for other blacks to change religions, a pattern that has also emerged in other Western countries.