5 American Athletes Who Converted To Islam
NEW YORK — Islam is one of the world’s largest faith traditions. It originated in the Arabian Peninsula in the seventh century and is centered around the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims regard him as the last prophet in the Islamic tradition.
Islam has more than 1.8 billion followers worldwide, making it the second-largest religion on the planet. In recent decades, a growing number of Americans have converted to Islam. There are many reasons why people choose to convert to Islam — but some factors include a desire for spiritual fulfillment and to connect to the larger Muslim community.
Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world. Some notable American athletes have converted starting in the 1960s, a trend that continues to this day. For some, especially African Americans, belief in Islam provides a chance to emphasize personal responsibility in their lives and social justice. In addition, Islam encourages charity and compassion toward others.
During Ramadan, Islam’s holy month, adherents observe a daily fast — a practice that has posed some challenges for pro athletes — from sunup to sundown. Nonetheless, many successfully navigate this practice each year in order to remain faithful to Islamic teaching.
Here are five notable athletes who converted to Islam and how the decision impacted American society:
Muhammad Ali
Perhaps the greatest boxer of all time, the man born Cassius Clay converted to Islam in the 1960s. He was born in Louisville in 1942 and grew up in a predominantly Baptist community. However, as he gained fame and success as a boxer, Ali began to explore different spiritual practices.
In the early 1960s, Ali met Malcolm X, a prominent leader of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X introduced Ali to the teachings of the Nation of Islam, which emphasized self-reliance and racial pride. Ali — drawn to these teachings — announce his conversion in 1964.
Ali officially changed his name to Muhammad Ali. This decision was met with controversy at the time, and it triggered backlash from many Americans. But Ali remained steadfast and would go on to ultimately use his platform as a world-famous athlete to advocate for civil rights and social justice.
Over the years, Ali's relationship with the Nation of Islam became strained. He later converted to Sunni Islam in the 1970s and remained a committed humanitarian, despite suffering from Parkinson’s disease, until his death in 2016.
Kareem Abdul-Jabaar
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. — converted to Islam in 1968 at age 20. His decision to convert was influenced by a variety of factors, including the civil rights movement and his conversations with influential figures such as Malcolm X.
Abdul-Jabbar was raised in a Catholic household in New York but began to question his faith as a teen. As he became more interested in philosophy and theology, he began exploring other religions, including Buddhism. He eventually became drawn to the teachings of Islam while a college star at UCLA.
In addition to his personal beliefs, Abdul-Jabbar was also inspired, like Ali, by the teachings of Malcolm X, who had become a prominent figure in the civil rights movement before his assassination in 1965.
Abdul-Jabaar played 20 seasons in the NBA, where he was named a record six-time league MVP. Abdul-Jabaar continues to be active politically and even has his own site on Substack.
Mike Tyson
Like his idol Ali, Mike Tyson converted to Islam in 1992 after doing time following a rape conviction. At the time, he was serving a prison sentence at the Indiana Youth Center in Plainfield. Tyson’s conversion was a gradual process that began before he went to prison but was solidified during his incarceration.
Tyson first became interested in Islam after reading “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” which was given to him by his mentor, Cus D’Amato. While in prison, Tyson had access to Islamic literature and began studying the Quran. He also had the opportunity to interact with Muslim inmates and chaplains, who answered his questions and helped him understand the faith.
Tyson has said that Islam gave him a sense of purpose during a difficult time in his life. Following his release from prison, the world heavyweight champion continued to practice Islam. He changed his name to Malik Abdul Aziz — and even began wearing traditional Islamic attire — but is rarely seen doing so in recent years.
Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving converted to Islam in 2021 following an announcement that was first shared on social media by Muslim activist Dawud Walid.
In April of that year that — after Irving’s Brooklyn Nets topped the Boston Celtics — he addressed his new faith during a post-game news conference.
“All praise is due to God, Allah, for this,” he said at the time. “For me, in terms of my faith and what I believe in, being part of the Muslim community, being committed to Islam and also just being committed to all races and cultures, religions, just having an understanding and respect. I just want to put that as a foundation.”
While Irving, currently a member of the Dallas Mavericks, is socially active, he has also shown an interest in conspiracy theories. In 2018, he said that the Earth was flat. During the pandemic, he had refused to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
A former NBA standout in the 1990s, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf became embroiled in a controversy in 1996 when he refused to stand for the national anthem before games, citing his religious beliefs as a Muslim.
Abdul-Rauf had converted to Islam in 1991, and he believed standing for the anthem conflicted with his religious beliefs. He had been sitting during the anthem for several games while playing for the Denver Nuggets — but the issue gained national attention when reporters noticed and wrote about it. In response, the NBA suspended Abdul-Rauf for one game. He agreed to stand for the anthem but did so with his head lowered and eyes closed in prayer.
Many criticized Abdul-Rauf's actions as disrespectful. He received death threats and was accused of being unpatriotic. Some NBA players also spoke out against him, including Michael Jordan who said, “I'm not going to condemn him. But if I was on a team and he did that, I would have to distance myself from him.”
He was eventually released from the NBA in 1998 when playing for the Sacramento Kings. He later played pro ball overseas before retiring in 2011.
Clemente Lisi is a senior editor at Religion Unplugged and teaches journalism at The King’s College in New York City. He is the author of “The FIFA World Cup: A History of the Planet’s Biggest Sporting Event.” Follow him on Twitter @ClementeLisi.