Posted on 07/07/2009 5:59:43 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Hollywood, CA (BANG) - Michael Jackson's life was "infiltrated" by the Nation of Islam, according to his former publicist.
The 'Thriller' singer became a devotee of the controversial 'black power' Islamic sect shortly after child abuse charges were brought against him in 2003 - according to publicist Stuart Backerman, who left as Jackson's closest adviser when the group "took hold" of him.
Backerman said: "I quit because the Nation of Islam had infiltrated Michael's world. I was the only one who was left standing at that point because Michael wasn't in his right mind.
"It was heartbreaking for him to have these charges and his life turned upside down."
Backerman believes the Nation of Islam - which practices a modified form of Islam and holds radical beliefs about the role of black people in society - seized control of Jackson in his vulnerable state.
He added to Britain's The Sun newspaper: "In that period of weakness he allowed the Nation of Islam to come in acting under the guise of security first, to taking control of his business operations and have an advisory role on legal matters. Basically they just took over."
The group - led by Louis Farrakhan - first had contact with Jackson in 2003 and in December that year Leonard F. Muhammad, Farrakhan's chief of staff, was named Jacksons bodyguard. He eventually worked his way up to running the star's business affairs.
Jackson was alleged to have converted to Islam in 2008 and changed his name to Mikaeel, although he never talked about his faith publicly.
Grace Rwaramba - who was nanny to the King of Pop's children - is also believed to have links to Farrakhan, but has spoken out about the group's influence over Michael since his death last month.
She alleged, among other things, that they overcharged him for the house he was renting when he died, claiming they billed him $60,000 a month, when similar properties in the same area cost a third of that amount.
Backerman explained his reasons for leaving Jackson's staff, saying: "I just felt it didn't make sense to become a front for the Nation of Islam. I felt this was not in Michael's interest to associate with a group like that and it turned out to be true."
Nation of Islam was charging him $100,000 a month for a house only worth $60,000 a month on the market.
NOI was just doing what Islam does best.
I’m not sure I “care”, but this stuff is just fascinating. The more that comes out about this guy, the more I watch.
So many things about his life and death are just unbelievable!

guess they had to get to him before the Scientologists did...
If the more that comes out, the more you watch, you are the liberal networks dream person. That said, I’m stunned you’re a conservative. How do you feel about backing Sarah?
since black folks love MJ, they are also going to notice what NOI is about and resent them for it......if this turns out to be the wirthwhile legacy of this matter, so much the better!
LOL - good one!
Wow GOPJ, you’ve got some problems with being judgmental, don’t you?
I am an extremely conservative evangelical Christian who definitely supports Sarah Palin (although I don’t think she is the most qualified person in the world to be POTUS, as many here believe). But I’m just fascinated with the guy’s life and death, in the way someone would be in reading a mystery novel. I don’t consider myself a fan; I’m just fascinated in how his life has turned out. And not in a good way.
I am likewise fascinated that another FReeper would take my very simple comments and try to project the entire rest of my lifes and beliefs from them. What on earth does Sarah Palin have to do with me watching MJ coverage? I never patronize any movies; I watch NOTHING on TV but political and Christian programming, and just happened to get caught up in the events surrounding this guy’s very strange life and death. So sue me.
What about those who watch sports, or who attend movies or watch any other TV? Look at all the people of extremely low character who participate therein. To continue your logic, sports and movie fans would be contributing to their immoral lifestyles as well.
Go get’em!
I also don't gawk at car accidents or attend “freak shows” at State Fairs.
If that's too judgmental for you - I'll ask the obvious - Aren't YOU judging me for my stand?
This is an interesting aspect of his life in understanding his total melt down into death. The NOI is about as evil an organization as there is in the US. They would gladly eat Jackson and spit out his bones when there was nothing left.
It also explains Jackson’s tour schedule being five times what Jackson wanted and felt he could do. The greed of the NOI knows no limits and they did not love him; they love no one. They worship hate, power and money. Once they latch on, they blackmail and threaten their targets with death.
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