The singer, who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, converted to Islam in a ceremony at a friend's house in Los Angeles. <br /><br />He is said to have sat on the floor and worn a small hat while an imam officiated. <br /><br />According to The Sun, the ceremony took place while Jackson, 50, was recording an album at the home of Steve Porcaro, a keyboard player who composed music on his Thriller album. <br /><br />The former Jackson 5 star was counselled by David Wharnsby, a Canadian songwriter, and Phillip Bubal, a producer, who have both converted. <br /><br />A source said Jackson had appeared a "bit down" and added: "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. <br /><br />"An imam was summoned from the mosque and Michael went through the shahada, which is the Muslim declaration of belief." <br /><br />Last year his brother, Jermaine Friday, suggested Jackson would convert having taken an interest in Islam since Friday's conversion in 1989. <br /><br />"When I came back from Mecca I got him a lot of books and he asked me lots of things about my religion and I told him that it's peaceful and beautiful," said Friday. <br /><br />"He read everything and he was proud of me that I found something that would give me inner strength and peace. <br /><br />"I think it is most probable that Michael will convert to Islam. <br /><br />"He could do so much, just like I am trying to do. Michael and I and the word of God, we could do so much."
