I got this email from a sister and then I also happened to see this entry at Amad’s Blog, alhamdulillah. awesoem news:
(Source: International Herald Tribune)
US mayor converts to Islam
MACON, Georgia: Macon Mayor Jack Ellis has converted to Islam and is now working to legally change his name to Hakim Mansour Ellis.
……
Ellis said he has been studying the Quran for years and that his new religion was originally practiced by his ancestors before they were brought to North America as slaves.
…..
At the request of his two of his daughters, Ellis said he will keep his last name the same. (Islamically I thik he isn’t even supposed to or not allowed to, Allahu ‘aAlam)
“If anybody wants to know about Islam, I can hold an intelligent conversation,”
Ellis said.
“What I’ve found is how little we know about the religion.”
C. Jack Ellis was born in Macon, Georgia. He was elected Mayor in July 1999, becoming the first black Mayor in the 176-year history of the city. Not to mention the first muslim Mayor perhaps?
Alhamdulillah, may Allah bless him. :)
Mashallah Mashallah
Allah Paak!
Allah uh Akbar
See update http://amadsden.blogspot.com/2007/02/cant-elect-one-then-convert-one.html
Marsh’Allah,
May Allah, the Most High bless this brother and guide him to the straight path of our salaf and may he keep him on this path until the last day.
Just a quick note….. when a person reverts he is not required to change this name to a Muslim name if he doesn’t wish to as long as his previous name doesn’t have a made meaning. Also as far as I’m awear the surname has the same ruling as the first name (Allahu alim)
Abul Abbas
Salam alaykum all,
Islamically, if a non-muslim reverts back to islam, he is allowed to keep his LAST NAME.
I have used the word “reverts” because we are all born muslims. Its only later that people are misguided.
For example, jack peterson can be changed to Yunus peterson, and others just by hearing his name, can know that this person has reverted to Islam.
May Allah Guide and Bless whole of Muslim Ummah