In a world where the arts serve as a powerful medium for connection and understanding, the stories of famous Muslims in entertainment shine brightly, illuminating the diverse narratives that shape our cultural landscape.
From celebrated actors to chart-topping musicians, these trailblazers not only captivate us with their extraordinary talents but also challenge stereotypes and redefine what it means to be a Muslim in today’s society. Their journeys are filled with passion, perseverance, and profound insights, inviting us to explore the intersections of faith, identity, and creativity.
Join us as we uncover the inspiring lives of these remarkable famous muslims, whose contributions resonate far beyond their performances, sparking conversations about acceptance, diversity, and the beauty of shared humanity.
Muslims of Hollywood
They may not be major Hollywood players just yet, but Muslim actors, writers, producers, directors, and other artistic professionals have been on the rise over the past decade.
Drawing on their faith to fuel their work (or help make fun of life), some of these Hollywood folks have been working the scene for years, while others are just starting to make their mark.
Famous Black Muslims
Titans of boxing and basketball, athletes like Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon are among America’s most celebrated Black Muslims. Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad made history when she represented Team USA in 2016 as the first American woman to wear hijab in the Olympics.
Muslim Actresses & Muslim Celebrities Female
Janet Jackson
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.
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.
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 rumors.
Bella Hadid
In 2017 the model marched in protest of President Trump’s executive order seeking to halt refugees and visitors from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Hadid later told Porter magazine that she protested in honor of her heritage and her religion.
Hadid said:
“My dad was a refugee when he first came to America, so it’s actually very close to home for my sister and brother and me. He was always religious, and he always prayed with us. I am proud to be a Muslim.”
Shohreh Aghdashloo
The Iranian-American actress was born into a Muslim family. In a 2013 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Aghdashloo speculated that her Muslim identity may have cost her a film role. Although director George Nolfi wanted her for the role of God in the 2011 thriller “The Adjustment Bureau,” she was let go.
Aghdashloo said:
“I say I was born a Muslim. I don’t introduce myself as a Muslim woman, but I guess the distribution company put the dots together and felt it’s too early for this.”
Iman Abdulmajid
Supermodel Iman Abdulmajid, born Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid, told Vogue Arabia in 2018 about growing up as a Muslim girl in Egypt.
she said:
“I’m Muslim and Egypt was a very progressive place. Girls like me could go to school. I completely fell in love with the people and the cultural legacy that goes far beyond the pyramids.”
Malala Yousafzai
At 17, Yousafzai became the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. She has been named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” for 2013, 2014 and 2015 for her work championing education rights for girls.
In 2015 Yousafzai told British TV Network Channel 4 that she believes being Muslim does not conflict with her feminist views.
she said:
“Islam is about equality and calling myself feminist would have no position from the religion.”
Muslim Actors & Muslim Celebrities Male
Zayn Malik
The former One Direction band member was raised Muslim by his mother, who converted to the religion, and his British-Pakistani father.
In 2018 the singer told Vogue that he no longer considers himself to be a follower of the Islamic faith.
Malik said:
“With my mum and dad, they were always there to educate us – I did go to mosque, I did study Islam. But they gave us the option so you could choose for yourself.”
Ramy Youssef
Youssef is the creator and star of the Hulu series “Ramy.” The dark comedy is loosely based on Youssef’s life as a first-generation Muslim American millennial and the struggles that come with balancing those identities.
He told NPR:
“You sit in contradictions. That has been the space that I’m trying to navigate. And that’s kind of the space that I bring to the work.”
His acting performance on the show earned him a Golden Globe award in 2020.
Hasan Minhaj
The “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” host has said that he identifies as Muslim but that his identity is also informed by many things.
He told NPR in 2020:
“Like, just ’cause I’m Muslim – that doesn’t mean I can’t do yoga, even though that’s, like, a Hindu practice, comes from Hinduism.”
Riz Ahmed
Ahmed has frequently spoken out about the realities of being Muslim in western countries. While leading a discussion during a diversity leadership event in California, Ahmed, who was born in Britain and has acted in TV series such as “The OA,” “The Night Of” and “Girls”.
He said:
“I’m basically here to ask for your help, because it’s really scary to be a Muslim right now, super scary. I’ve often wondered, is this going to be the year when they round us up, if this is going to be the year they put Trump’s registry into action. If this is going to be the year they ship us all off.”
DJ Khaled
The Grammy Award-winning music producer is proud to be Muslim.
He told Esquire in 2018:
“It’s life for me. I was born Muslim, my family raised me Muslim. It’s beautiful, it’s amazing, it’s incredible and it has put so many blessings upon me and my family. My faith has helped make me the man I am right now, with the love and the respect that I put out there. I love anybody that loves God. That’s what I am about.”
Aasif Mandvi
The “Evil” star told The Hollywood Reporter:
“I grew up as a Muslim, but I’ve been in more bars than mosques in my life. I feel like there’s a moment in the history of this country, and American Muslims do need to speak out. It’s a privilege in a way to be an American Muslim speaking in whatever way I can at this time in history, when it’s so crucial.”
Raekwon
The American rapper converted to Islam in 2009. Raekwon, born Corey Woods, was asked by GQ in 2017 if he was keeping up with news of the Trump administration’s “travel ban” on refugees and visitors from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
The Wu-Tang Clan rapper said:
“Allah… he’s going to let it be what it be, and whenever he wants to fix it, he’s going to fix it. Right now, I’m just focusing on my children, my career and really just letting it be what it’s going to be, at the end of the day it’ll work itself out.”
Mahershala Ali
Ali converted to Islam in 2000. During the 2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards, the “Moonlight” star gave a passionate speech about the importance of loving each other despite our differences.
He said:
“My mother is an ordained minister, I’m a Muslim. She didn’t do backflips when I called her to tell her I converted 17 years ago. But I tell you now, we put things to the side, I’m able to see her, she’s able to see me, we love each other, the love has grown. That stuff is minutiae. It’s not that important.”
Ali is also the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award.
Muslim Actors in Hollywood and other Celebrities Hailing from Diverse Backgrounds
In the vibrant tapestry of global entertainment, several renowned Muslim actors have made their mark, captivating audiences with their talent and charisma. From the powerful performances of Riz Ahmed, who deftly navigates complex roles in both film and music, to the enchanting presence of Mahira Khan, a star in the Pakistani film industry, these individuals have not only showcased their artistic prowess but also brought visibility to diverse narratives.
Their contributions transcend borders, inspiring countless aspiring artists while promoting a richer understanding of Islamic culture in mainstream media.
Moreover, the influence of these Muslim celebrities extends beyond the screen. They use their platforms to advocate for social justice, equality, and representation, challenging stereotypes and fostering dialogue. The likes of Yasmine Al Massri and Kumail Nanjiani are not just entertainers; they are storytellers who bridge cultural gaps and encourage empathy among audiences worldwide.
As we celebrate their achievements, we recognize the importance of diverse voices in shaping a more inclusive narrative within the entertainment industry, paving the way for future generations of artists to shine brightly on the global stage.