To young teenagers growing up in the Arab world, there were three cherished pop idols to those aged 13 and above: Madonna, George Michael, and Michael Jackson.
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All Comments (18)
I remember Elvis and his songs. but I miss Michael Jackson much more: Michael used to electrify an entire audience with his unique performances. Rest In Peace, Dear Michael: you shall always be in our minds and thoughts!
June 29, 2009 3:14 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 29, 2009 15:14
I read this with interest, thanks, we don't always know how big our stars might be somewhere else.
Frankly I'm horrified if Madonna, G. Michael and even Michael Jackson actually represent the U.S. to the world. Madonna is a self obsessed, Michael Jackson has all that plastic surgery and the hanging with kids.
Could we have a little about how they're not (hopefully) perceived as typical Americans?
June 29, 2009 12:04 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 29, 2009 00:04
Two things characterize M. Jackson:
1-weird
2-much under loved.
June 28, 2009 11:36 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 28, 2009 23:36
What did Muslims in the Arab world think of Michael Jackson's conversion to Islam a few months ago in November 2008? Or did this event not penetrate the news media there?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3494296/Michael-Jackson-converts-to-Islam-and-changes-name-to-Mikaeel.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2008/11/21/2008-11-21_call_him_mikaeel_michael_jackson_reporte.html
June 28, 2009 1:26 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 28, 2009 13:26
I think the guy you really want to meet is Quincy Jones:
"While working on the film The Wiz, Michael Jackson asked him to produce his upcoming solo record.
The result, Off The Wall has sold a staggering 20 million copies and made Jones the most powerful record producer in the industry.
Jones' and Jackson's next collaboration Thriller eventually sold a reputed 109 million copies and became the highest-selling album of all time.
Jones also worked on Michael Jackson's third solo album Bad, which has sold 32 million copies. After the Bad album, Jackson and Jones went their separate ways so that Jackson could produce his later solo works by himself."
June 28, 2009 6:53 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 28, 2009 06:53
the islamic people are real nice
June 28, 2009 1:49 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 28, 2009 01:49
WHAT'S BLACK AND WHITE AND COMES IN LITTLE WHITE CANS? Michael Jackson, of course!
June 27, 2009 7:08 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2009 19:08
MICHAEL JACKSON = PEDOPHILE!
June 27, 2009 7:08 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2009 19:08
this article-thingy is retarded, and also this entire "On faith" section is retarded please make it go away
June 27, 2009 6:28 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2009 18:28
Thank you.
June 27, 2009 5:07 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2009 17:07
It's good that you write about one thing or person that Americans and Muslims can both find something or someone in common to speak about and share, and that person being Michael Jackson.
I enjoyed reading your article.
June 27, 2009 4:34 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2009 16:34
I love your conspiracy theory. The only "blood" you see in that picture is the reflection of the flash of the camera on the red backboard. This picture was probably taken going to the hospital.
What dummies!
June 27, 2009 2:14 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2009 14:14
Ten minutes ago I finished dinner in a simple little restaurant here in Şanlıurfa, Turkey,not far from the Syrian border. The waiter asked me were I was from and I said ''America.'' He then said ''Michael Jackson.'' That was all that was needed.
June 27, 2009 1:57 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2009 13:57
There are reports that Michael converted to Islam -- http://twforg.blogspot.com/2009/06/michael-jackson-converted-to.html
June 27, 2009 1:00 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2009 13:00
ThomasStewart wrote:
MURDER....heres picture of Michaels Body. Notice its at night, Firemen are waering overcoats, with blood stains, Gurney is Covered in blood & entire chest area is covered with with huge bandages.
http://www.geocities.com/tsvondrashekmd/getattachment.jpg
Coroners are noted for cover ups, word corner, applied as loosely run area, is NOT Medical Doctor Nor Pathologist. So Probably World Will Never Know. Now YOU Know.
http://www.geocities.com/tsvondrashekmd/getattachment.jpg
Signed:PHYSICIAN THOMAS STEWART von DRASHEK M.D.
6/27/2009 10:15:31 AM
June 27, 2009 10:54 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2009 10:54
Thanks for this. Almost all of my Arab, Iranian expat, and Muslim friends growing up were undeterred MJ enthusiasts. Keep on building the case for commonalities and the world will be a better place for it.
June 27, 2009 9:47 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2009 09:47
Very interesting article, though I was never, ever a MJ fan.
Incidentally, the guitar solo in "Beat It" was played by Eddie Van Halen, for which he allegedly never received payment.
June 27, 2009 6:11 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2009 06:11
Very true. Sami, you have put our thoughts, all of them, in your usual glamorous way. Very much like how glamorous Michael was. Michael left a lasting print in our memories of hope, ambition, innovation and excellence. He is a legend that have and will always inspire those who have a dream and who are willing to lead their lives living up to it. The man was controversial, true. Yet no one could deny nor forget that his music and talent outwayed any controversy and that Michael kept it up with a lonely life of fame that cost him to let go much of the joy he could have had being the normal child who grew up to become king of pop. RIP Michael.
June 26, 2009 5:03 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 26, 2009 17:03