Why I converted to Islam

賈霸從伊斯蘭得到歸屬感

I was born Lew Alcindor. Now I’m Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The transition from Lew to Kareem was not merely a change in celebrity brand name — like Sean Combs to Puff Daddy to Diddy to P. Diddy — but a transformation of heart, mind and soul. I used to be Lew Alcindor, the pale reflection of what white America expected of me. Now I’m Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the manifestation of my African history, culture and beliefs.

For most people, converting from one religion to another is a private matter requiring intense scrutiny of one’s conscience. But when you’re famous, it becomes a public spectacle for one and all to debate. And when you convert to an unfamiliar or unpopular religion, it invites criticism of one’s intelligence, patriotism and sanity. I should know. Even though I became a Muslim more than 40 years ago, I’m still defending that choice.

UK says Muslim communities must ‘own’ problem of extremism

1. 誰來定義與擁抱British Value?

2. 極端主義是政府中東政策造成，還是穆斯林本身的問題？

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday unveiled a new counter extremism strategy, which will aim to stop young Britons travelling to Syria. In it he called on Muslim communities to “own” the problem of "Islamist extremism", which he called "one of the struggles of our generation".

Key proposals in the plan include allowing parents to have passports removed from 16- and 17-year-olds, barring those with terrorism or extremist convictions from working with children and vulnerable people, and closing down mosques where extremism is deemed to be preached.

The new Counter-Extremism Strategy will also include a review of Britain's citizenship rules, making “good character” a key requirement in citizenship applications.

“Gaining British citizenship is a privilege and should signal a person’s commitment to becoming an active member of our society,” the strategy read.

“[We] will also consider who should be automatically entitled to citizenship and how we can more easily revoke citizenship from those who reject our values.”

A prominent commentator on Twitter who has in the past worked with the government said new plans to remove citizenship were worrying.