Hollywood female stars that you probably didn't know are Muslims
Nazanin Boniadi as Nora on CBS's "How I Met Your Mother" with Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson
(Web Desk) – Several actresses in Hollywood either converted to the religion of Islam or had deeply rooted origins of the monotheistic religion in their background. Here are some names in the entertainment industry that have been somehow related with Islam and noted as Muslims:
Janet Jackson
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Young sister of popstar Michael Jackson, Janet, reportedly converted to Islam in 2013 after marrying Wissam Al-Mana, Qatar-based Muslim billionaire. She has sung numerous songs including Scream in which she collaborated with her brother. Being a prominent figure in the Hollywood and entertainment industry for over 30 years, she enjoys her roles as vocalist, songwriter, dancer and performer. She is even credited for the emergence of YouTube.
Shohreh Aghdashloo
The 65-year-old Iranian-American actress has appeared in several films and also worked behind the camera. She rose to limelight after her role in 1977 movie The Report. She is an acclaimed star in the US despite her films being banned in home country. Critics praised her performance in 2003 movie House of Sand and Fog. She played the role of Chrisjen Avasarala in TV show The Expanse. Aghdashloo was born in a Muslim family, however, she hasn’t been seen practising religion in public.
Nazanin Boniadi
The Iran-born US actress and activist is known for her numerous roles in American TV series including Scandal, Homeland, Grey s Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, Suits and others. She calls herself a non-practising Muslim. Boniadi has dedicated a large part of her life in civil rights activism and Church of Scientology. Later on, she admitted to leave the Church of Scientology. Boniadi has played film roles in Hotel Mumbai, Iron Man and The Next Three Days.
Ellen Burstyn
According to her bio, Ellen Burstyn was raised as Christian by her family and remained a believer in God. She reportedly converted to Islam after studying Sufism. She has remained on the spiritual adventure of self-discovery since then. In an interview, she said admitted to believing in the sacredness of all religions. Burstyn is in close contact with preachers of Sufi Islam. Her Sufi teacher Inayat Khan gave her the name Hidaya, meaning source of guidance. She doesn’t fully dedicate herself to any single religion but believes to live in all of the worldly religions.
Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid (Iman)
Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid is an American supermodel who is identified as a Muslim by her name Iman. She admitted to not being a practicing Muslim but her family belongs to Islamic origin. She is admired as a Somalian model widow of English rock musician David Bowie. Her work in fashion industry as well philanthropy has been praised by the people. In TV, she worked in Miami Vice, and hosted contests like The Fashion Show. Her appearances in movies include The Human Factor, House Party 2, Exit to Eden and more.
Lindsay Lohan
She is an American singer and actress who featured in movies like Mean Girls, The Canyons and Bobby. She was reported to study Islam and people speculated that she had converted officially, however, she neither confirmed nor denied these rumours.
