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Jan 21, 2010
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Jermaine Jackson: I Tried to Convert Michael to Islam; the US 'Has a Bit of Dictatorship'

#2363 | 02:15
Source: Al-Arabiya Network (Dubai/Saudi Arabia)

The following are excerpts from an interview with American musician Jermaine Jackson, older brother of Michael Jackson. The interview, which was held in English, aired on Al-Arabiya TV on January 21, 2010.

Jermaine Jackson: [Michael Jackson] was so powerful in success. I just wish he would have embraced Islam. I tried very very hard, because I think that would have been his protection.

[...]

Interviewer: So was Michael a Muslim at the time he died?

Jermaine Jackson: He was studying a lot. His whole protection, his security, were all Muslims. He was ready to make that journey.

[...]

These major news media outlets are controlled by what is being said. So we look at this country as a democracy, but at the same time it has a bit of dictatorship. They are being told what to say, and 99% of the people believe this stuff.

[...]

When we were brought as a people from Africa to the States – we were originally Muslims. It was this white slave message that put Christianity on us.

[...]

Interviewer: After Michael read the books about Islam, what did he tell you?

Jermaine Jackson: Well, Michael... I really feel that Michael was looking for that divine feeling. I brought him a lot of books from Saudi Arabia, I brought him books from Bahrain. I brought him books from a lot of mosques in Bahrain. He read them all. I just wish that he would have made that announcement. Maybe he made it in his soul, but at the same time, we want to hear it – because that was my protection, and I felt that would have been his protection as well – Islam.

Interviewer: He told you that one day you are going to hear it, or one day he will embrace [Islam], or convert? Did he tell you that?

Jermaine Jackson: Well, he showed us, by loving that region, and spending a lot of time in that part of the world, and having a lot of friends in that part of the world...

[...]

I think if the Western world really looked at Islam for what it really is, and stopped trying to put this terrorist word with Muslims and Islam, the world could be a much better place – because this is the most pure religion ever.

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