Now that the U.S. has elected its first Muslim president in Barack Obama, Michael Jackson is following suit by converting to Islam himself. According to The Sun UK, Jacko has changed his name in accordance with his new religion.

Jacko will henceforth be known as “Mikaeel”:

The skint superstar, 50, donned Islamic garb to pledge allegiance to the Koran in a ceremony at a pal’s mansion in Los Angeles, The Sun can reveal.

Jacko sat on the floor wearing a tiny hat after an Imam was summoned to officiate — days before the singer is due to appear at London’s High Court where he is being sued by an Arab sheik.

A source told last night how Jacko, brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness, decided to convert as he used a studio at the home of his chum to record a new album.

An Imam was summoned from the mosque and Michael went through the shahada, which is the Muslim declaration of belief. Mikaeel is the name of one of Allah’s angels.

Jacko rejected an alternative name, Mustafa — meaning “the chosen one”. Source