An American Millionaire Who Was Also Michael Jackson's Lawyer Becomes
Muslim
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An American millionaire, Mark Shaffer declared his Islam in Saudi Arabia on
Saturday, 17th October 2009. Mark was at that time on a holiday in Saudi
Arabia to visit some famous cities like Riyadh , Abha and Jeddah for 10
days.
Mark is a well-known millionaire and also a practiced lawyer in Los
Angeles , specializing in cases of civil laws. The last big case he handled
was the case of the famous American pop singer, Michael Jackson, a week
before he passed away.
A tourist guide who accompanied Mark for 10 days in Saudi Arabia , Dhawi
Ben Nashir told: Since he set foot for the first time in Saudi Arabia ,
Mark already started to ask question about Islam and Solat. As soon as he
arrived in Saudi, Mark stayed in Riyadh for two days. While in Riyadh ,
Mark was very interested in Islam. After moving to Najran, we went to Abha
and Al-Ula. There, his fascination on Islam grew more obvious, especially
the time when we ventured out into the desert.
Mark was amazed to see three Saudi youths who were in our group in Al-Ula,
performing solat in the expanse of the very wide desert. A very fantastic
panorama indeed.
After two days in Al-Ula, we went to Al-Juf. As soon as we arrived in
Al-Juf, Mark asked if I could get him some books on Islam. I then obtained
some books on Islam for him. Mark read all those books. The next morning,
he asked me to teach him how to perform solat. I then taught him how to
pray and take wudhu (ablution). Then, he joined me and performed solat
beside me.
After solat, Mark told me that he felt peace in his soul. On Thursday
afternoon, we left Al-Ula heading for Jeddah. He looked very serious
throughout the journey reading those books about Islam. On Friday morning,
we visited the old town of Jeddah . Before the time for the Friday prayer
approached, we went back to the hotel and I excused myself to go for the
Friday prayer. Then, Mark told me: I would like to join you for the Friday
prayer so that I can witness myself how the Friday prayer is like. So I
answered: welcome…
We then went to a masjid which was not far from the hotel where we stayed
in Jeddah. Since we were quite late, I and many other jamaah had to pray
outside, as the number of jamaah was overflowing. I could see Mark
observing the jamaah, especially after the Friday prayer was completed,
when everybody was shaking hands and embracing each other with radiant and
happy faces. Mark was very impressed with what he saw.
When we return to the hotel, Mark suddenly told me that he wanted to become
a Muslim. So I said to him: Please have a shower first. After Mark took the
shower, I guided him in saying the kalimah of shahadah (declaration of
faith) and then he prayed two rakaah. Later on, Mark expressed his desire
to visit the Masjidil Haram in Makkah and perform solat there before
leaving Saudi Arabia .
In order to fulfill his wish, we went to the Da'wah and Irshad office in
the area of Al-Hamro', Jeddah, to obtain a formal proof of his conversion
to Islam, so that he would be allowed to enter the city of Makkah and
Masjidil Haram. Then, Mark was given a temporary certificate of his
conversion to Islam. As a number of group members who participated in
Mark's visit to Saudi Arabia had to go back to America on Saturday
afternoon, Al-Hamdulillah, Ustadz Muhammad Turkistani was willing to send
Mark to the Holy Land of Makkah that same morning.
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Regarding Mark's visit to Masjidil Haram, Ustadz Muhammad Turkistani
narrated: After Mark obtained his temporary certificate, we straight away
departed heading for the noble Masjidil Haram. When he witnessed the
Masjidil Haram, he face looked radiant and it emanated an extraordinary
happiness. When we entered the Masjidil Haram and witnessed the Ka'bah for
ourselves, his happiness increased. By Allah, I could not express that
scene with words. After performing the tawaf around the noble Ka'bah, we
performed the sunnah solat and went out of Masjidil Haram. I could see Mark
very reluctantly wanting to leave Masjidil Haram.
After Mark declared his Islamic faith, he had the chance to express his
happiness in Al-Riyadh Newspaper saying: I could not express my feeling at
this time but I am being reborn and my life has just started… then he
added: I am very happy. This happiness that I am feeling could not be
expressed in words especially when I visited the Masjidil Haram and noble
Ka'bah.
Regarding his next step after his conversion to Islam, Mark explained: I
will learn more about Islam, I will delve deeper into this religion of
Allah (Islam) and come back to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.
As to what impelled him into converting to Islam, Mark explained: I have
already had information about Islam, but it was very limited. When I
visited Saudi Arabia and personally witnessed the Muslims there, and saw
how they performed the solat, I felt a very strong drive to know more about
Islam. When I read true information about Islam, I became confident that
Islam is a religion of haq (truth).
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Sunday morning, 18th October 2009, Mark left the Airport of King Abdul Aziz
Jeddah heading for America . When filling in the immigration form before
leaving Jeddah, Mark wrote ISLAM as his religion.