Muslim may be one of the religions that may get the most discrimination; however, these celebrities made a courageous decision by standing up for their moral convictions and belief.
Bella Hadid
Hadid won the prestigious ‘Model of the Year’ at Model.com’s Model Awards in 2016. She was also considered the most beautiful woman in the world, according to Julian De Silva’s study, a prominent cosmetic surgeon,
De Silva based his list on an analysis of the dimensions and placement of the brows, lips, chin, and jaw. Bella Hadid was in first place overall across all the data gathered, scoring 94.35 percent symmetrical.
Bella Hadid began modeling when she was the age of 16 with Flynn Skye’s commercial project. Along with Ben Barnes, Hadid co-starred in the Lesa Amoore films “Swan Sittings” and “Smoking Hot,” modeled for the Hannah Hayes F/W 2013 collection.
Bella Hadid's Early Life
Hadid has stated that “I am proud to be a Muslim” and grew up participating in Eid and Ramadan celebrations. But as she became older and started working and attending school, she said in 2017, “I couldn’t fast for as long.”
Still, she was forced to stop in 2013 owing to her severe Lyme disease. She was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease in October 2015, but it had not been made public before. In 2012, she received the same chronic illness diagnosis together with her mother and brother.
“There wasn’t really one time in my life where I was like,’ I want to be a model!’ It was more Gigi’s thing,” says Bella.
Despite working in the same field, Bella Hadid and her older sister, Gigi, do not compete with one another. In 2017, “Most of the time, our markets are completely different, and if we get booked on a job, and she gets it, or I get it, we’re both happy for each other.” Hadid told Harper’s Bazaar in 2017.
Bella Hadid's Religion
“…so it’s actually very close to home for my sister and brother and me. He was always religious, and he always prayed with us,” she said.
“I am proud to be a Muslim.”
Riz Ahmed
In a movie, he had to reduce weight and gain muscle for his role. In addition, it also happens when he has to drop his natural English accent for a role and speaks to everyone that way, on and off set, until everything is wrapped up.
He was also nominated for a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and last but not least, three British Independent Film Awards. And he also earned a spot on TIME magazine’s 2017 “Top 100 Most Influential People”.
He triumphed in many rap competitions in 2005, including at Oxford’s Hit & Run night, the Jump-off, Battlescars, and DJ Nihal’s “Bombay Bronx.”
Riz Ahmed's Early Life
Riz Ahmed's Religion
“What matters to me is as many people as possible can find themselves this moment,” he said. “So, some people really connect with the idea that I was the first Muslim nominated for lead actor, that’s beautiful, and I support that.”
The actor added that some people fixated on deaf representation, “which is something that is so lacking in cinema.”
As an instance, consider the time he established a fund to help stop “toxic portrayals” of Muslims in movies. This movement developed in response to a study that found that Muslims are either given less screen time or bad portrayals when they appear.
I'm fed up of seeing Muslim characters on screen either negative or non existent. The industry must change. Our new study proves what many of us always felt about #MuslimsInFilm. The cost is measured in hate & lost lives. Full speech here: https://t.co/bsfpQw4Wfe pic.twitter.com/2itt6IaESB
— Riz Ahmed (@rizwanahmed) June 10, 2021
“The problem with Muslim misrepresentation is one that can’t be ignored anymore,” said Ahmed, who is also renowned for the films Rogue One and The Night Of.
The video he posted tackled how he felt a bitter-sweet moment in his history-making Oscar nomination. Riz said that despite the honor, while nevertheless feeling genuinely grateful, the contrary was he also felt tremendous sadness.
“What unwritten law must exist about Muslims, who make up 25% of the world’s population, and there if any, role in our stories, cultures, and societies?” he continued.
Mahershala Ali
Mahershala Ali, a two-time Oscar winner, makes his lead acting debut in “Swan Song” and enters the spotlight.
Mahershala Ali's Early Life
Mahershala Ali's Religion
“She was almost coming out of it, and I was going into it,” he said.
A Christmas break in school, and a week later after they went to a mosque. He mentioned that right after waking up, he thought, “I have to go to the mosque.”
Ali said a man touched him on his shoulder and asked, “Are you Muslim?” And he says, “No.” then the man goes with, “Do you want to be?”
Him being driven and passionate about the connection he felt during his visit, Ali says, “Yes.” And at last, the man took him to the imam and made his pledge.
His mother told him how she accepted his path and became supportive of his choice, “We are in an extraordinarily positive place today,” he said.
Ramy Youssef
American multi-talented individual Ramy Youssef. He is known more as a stand-up comedian and works as an actor, writer, and director. He is also well-known for playing Ramy Hassan in the comedy series “Ramy.”
During this episode, he observed the writers’ room, an experience Youssef brings to his show. He also appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” where he performed a portion of his stand-up act.
His show “Ramy” received three Emmy nominations in 2020: Yousseff for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series, and Mahershala Ali as Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series.
Ramy Youssef's Early Life
Ramy Youssef's Religion
“We all lie,” he says. “We’re all afraid of actually being who we really are. We tell these little lies every day, just to get by.”
In an interview with Terry Gross, he asked him when he was 11 if he was thinking about being a higher self and wanting to connect to his faith.
“The root of all evil in the way that it was framed and kind of coming to an understanding that it’s not that at all,” he added.
“I don’t want to be monetizing this thing that means something to me and then losing it. So it’s something that kind of raises the bar for, you know, how I want to check myself,” he said about making himself better.
Dj Khaled
Aside from many side professions, DJ Khaled has already produced 11 studio albums of his own since 2006. Later, in 1998, he became a member of the hip-hop group “Terror Squad.” He was a radio host for Miami’s urban radio station, ‘WEDR.’
His road to becoming well-known and an internet celebrity started when, thanks to his Snapchat videos, he was made famous by the YouTube channel “h3h3 productions.”
Furthermore, DJ Khaled released his first solo album around June 2006, “Listennn…the Album,” under Koch Records. And his album debuted on the Billboard Hot 200 at number twelve, proving that the decision was perfect.
“I went to Koch because I like dealing with the underdogs. The people at Koch are family to me, and they all work. It’s not like when you’re dealing with the big companies, and you have to find out who’s doing what,” the DJ remarked regarding signing with the label.
His Top Ten pop hits include his first no. 1 single. “I’m On One” was released in 2011, “I’m the One” and “Wild Thoughts” around 2017, “No Brainer” in 2018, and “Popstar” in 2020, which feature eager featured artists Rihanna, Drake, Justin Bieber, and Chance the Rapper.
In June of that year, “I’m So Hood” received certified platinum and quickly rose to popularity.
DJ Khaled published a book in 2016 called “The Keys” in an effort to encourage people to follow their aspirations and make them come true. His journey to success is also detailed in the book.
Dj Khaled's Early Life
He made the decision to pursue a career as a music producer since he enjoyed making beats and playing around with sounds. While he may have grown up loving music, he chose not to pursue rapping since he “didn’t have that sort of ethic.”
“I fell in love with making sounds and beats, and from then on, I worked very hard to get somewhere with my music,” Khaled said.
DJ Khaled's Religion
“It’s life for me.” DJ Khaled once said when talking about his religion.
“It’s beautiful, it’s amazing, it’s incredible,” he continued to give a statement about his faith with pride and passion. He also mentioned how it put many blessings not only to him but also to his family.
In his interview with Larry King, Khaled was pressed about his religion which he answered honestly. Larry asked, “What does being Muslim mean to you?”
Khaled responds with, “Muslim is life.” He also mentioned the advice he got from his parents was to keep God first, and he never doubted his faith.
Larry King also asked him what people don’t know about himself, to which Khaled responded, “I’m not so hyped up all the time, “I’m just a laid-back person.”
Dave Chappelle
In 2006, Dave Chappelle was called the “Comic Genius of America” by Esquire and “The Best” by a Billboard writer in 2013.
Furthermore, his show “Chappelle’s Show” in 2003 has made popularity; he and Viacom had a $50 million deal that will keep Chappelle’s Show (2003) in production for another two years while also allowing him to work on side projects.
Dave Chappelle's Early Life
Dave Chappelle's Religion
Iman
She accepted her first modeling job the following year with “Vogue” magazine. She was valued by fashion designers for her exotic appearance and acted as a model for Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and many other fashion houses.
She wrote an autobiography titled “I Am Iman” in 2001 that discusses the racial and modeling challenges she ran against throughout her career.
She released “The Beauty of Color,” a manual on ethnic skincare and makeup, in 2005. Two years later, a clothing and accessories collection called “Global Chic” for “Home Shopping Network” was created and produced with her assistance.
She was given the “Fashion Icon Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2010 in recognition of her distinctive contribution to the fashion industry.
This well-known businesswoman and model were the first to kiss Michael Jackson in his 1992 music video “Remember the Time.”
Iman's Early Life
Iman's Religion
Iman is writing about Islam. She said that although Somalia is a moderate country, her religion dictates that her profession is not something she should be in.
“I write about Islam. Somalia is a moderate Muslim country but my religion dictates that this is not a profession I should be in,” she said. Among the “last words in the book are ‘May Allah have mercy on my soul’ if I have sinned.”
Time happened when he used to hide her nude portraits whenever her parents visited her, “Combining my work with my religion was one of the most difficult things. It is complicated to be photographed in a provocative way, even if the pictures are artful.”
“I shot stunning nudes with Richard Avedon, one of the most iconic photographers ever, and although I was proud of these images when my parents would come to visit me, I would hide them under the bed,” she added.
Shohreh Aghdashloo
Harper Collins published Aghadashloo’s autobiography, “The Alley of Love and Yellow Jasmines,” on June 4, 2013.
Shohreh Aghdashloo's Early Life
Shohreh Aghdashloo, also known as Shohreh Vaziri-Tabar, is an Iranian American actress. The stage name she uses, “Aghdashloo,” is the family name of her first husband, an Iranian painter Aydin Aghdashloo. She was born on May 11, 1952, to a wealthy family.
Shohreh Aghdashloo's Religion
“I say I was born a Muslim. I don’t introduce myself as a Muslim woman, but I guess the distribution company put the dots together and felt it’s too early for this,” Aghdashloo said.
Akon
Following the success of his first album, he founded his labels, “Kon Live Distribution” and “Konvict Muzic.” In November 2006, he released his second album, “Konvicted,” under his label.
His second album “Konvicted” alone, released in the same year, sold 286,000 copies in the first week and reached its four-time peak at number two on the Billboard 200. The album stayed in the top 20 for 28 weeks in a row.
Akon was recognized as “Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist” at the 2007 American Music Awards, “Artist of the Year” at the Billboard Music Awards, and “Teen Choice Award” for “Breakout Artist – Male” in the same year.
His reputation grew due to the numerous hit singles in “Konvicted.” By receiving several platinum awards, the album shattered innumerable records. In the singles “Smack That” and “I Wanna Love You,” Eminem and Snoop Dogg made guest appearances on the album.
In 2008, his third album “Freedom” came out; after selling millions of copies worldwide, it was certified platinum in the US and gave rise to four singles: “Right Now -Na Na Na,” “I’m So Paid,” “Beautiful,” and “We Don’t Care.”
He also received the “BET Hip Hop Award” for “Producer of the Year” in 2008.
Akon also has worked with well-known musicians like Gwen Stefani, Whitney Houston, and Lionel Richie. He co-wrote the well-known song “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga popular song, which received a nomination for a Grammy Award at the 51st Grammy Awards for “Best Dance Recording.”
He received the “Ozone” award in 2009 for “Artist of the Year (USA & UK).”
David Guetta and Akon’s single “Sexy Bitch” reached number one in more than six nations. On the “Billboard Hot 100,” it peaked at position five.
Furthermore, for his achievements, In 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, he received “ASCAP Awards” in various categories.
Akon's Early Life
Akon has always kept the public scrutiny off of his family. He says he’s fathered six kids by three separate women. He also owns a diamond mine in South Africa and operates a charity called “Konfidence” for disadvantaged kids.
Akon's Religion
“Always perfect your craft,” he said to the crowd.
Akon continues talking about his religion and even asks a question to the crows, “It makes you ask the question: what is success? Is it fame or fortune? Does that measure what success means to you? Or is it faith?”
He revealed his true motives are to enter the afterlife, “I don’t believe in having that much money sitting away without applying it to changing somebody’s life.”
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson, professionally known as Jermaine Jackson, is an American Singer and a member of the Jackson 5 music group.
Jermaine Jackson's Early Life
Jermaine Jackson's Religion
“I do know that all of [Michael’s] security and the people that took care of his children became Muslim. As far as him accepting Islam in his heart, I am sure he did,” said Jackson.