8 Famous Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were Muslims

There are hundreds of different religions in the world — someone believes in Jesus, someone in Buddha, and some pretend to believe in a cosmic deity made of pasta and meatballs. On this planet, people are free to choose whatever religion they want to practice, and if they decide to switch it up and convert to a different god or ethereal concept, it’s also fine.

Here are eight celebs you didn’t know were practicing Islam.

1. Mahershala Ali

The famous Hollywood actor decided to convert to Islam in 2000. Mahershala’s mother is a clergywoman and raised her son in the Christian tradition, but when Ali was old enough to make a conscious decision, he chose to become a Muslim. The man changed his name from Gilmore to Ali, but his relationship with his mother has not changed. She respects her son’s decision, and Mahershala really appreciates it.

2. Dave Chappelle

Many people, including celebrities, converted to Islam being already fully-developed adults. One of those celebs is the popular stand-up comedian Dave Schappell, who chose to serve Allah in 1998, and never once regretted his decision. According to Dave, this religion’s teachings are so wise that sometimes it feels like a lifetime is not enough to study and fully understand it.

3. Omar Sharif

The popular actor Omar Sharif was born into a Lebanese Catholic family and could have lived the rest of his life as a Catholic if it were not for love. The actor fell in love with the Egyptian actress Faten Hamam and became a Muslim in order to marry her. Their marriage lasted nineteen years and ended in divorce, but his faith in Allah remained until his dying breath.