List of converts to Islam


The following is a list of notable people who converted to Islam from a different religion or no religion . This article addresses only past professions of faith by the individuals listed, and is not intended to address ethnic, cultural, or other considerations. Such cases are noted in their list entries. The list is categorized alphabetically with their former religious affiliation, where known.

Based on alphabetical order: A-Z

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  • Jalal Mansur Nuriddin – was an American poet and musician.
  • Adam Neuser –Protestant pastor of Heidelberg who held Antitrinitarian views. He later converted to Islam and traveled to Istanbul where he served the Ottoman Sultan.

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  • Abdullah Quilliam – British convert from Christianity to Islam, noted for founding England's first mosque and Islamic centre.

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  • Mario Rossi (architect) – was an Italian architect and notable contributor to 20th-century Islamic architecture.
  • Sulayman Reis – was a 17th-century Dutch corsair.
  • Raekwon – American rapper, born as Corey Woods
  • Rae Lil Black – former Japanese adult film star, transitioned away from the adult industry after embracing Islam
  • Rakhi Sawant – Indian dancer, model, actress.
  • A. R. Rahman – Indian composer, musician, singer-songwriter, producer and philanthropist; he converted to Islam along with other members of his family in 1989 at age 23, changing his name from A. S. Dileep Kumar Mudhaliar to Allah Rakha Rahman
  • Yuvan Shankar Raja – Indian musician; music director from Tamil Nadu
  • Ahmad Rashad, U.S. pro football player and sportscaster for The NFL on NBC
  • Richard Reid – British citizen, who adopted militant ideologies. Popularly known as the "Shoe Bomber" after unsuccessfully attempting to blow up an American Airlines flight
  • Brittany Renner – American reality-television personality
  • MC Ren – American rapper and hip-hop producer
  • Franck RibéryFrance national football team player
  • Hamza Robertson – English singer
  • Jack Roche – British-born migrant in Sydney. Former member of the Jemaah Islamiyah sect, involved in its militant schemes, Roche later chose to divulge his information to ASIO officers, but his calls were dismissed. Later convicted for 4-years, Roche has left the lifestyle behind but remains critical of the ASIO's failure to prevent the attacks
  • Rodtang Jitmuangnon – a Muay Thai fighter who converted to Islam shortly after marrying his Muslim wife, Aida Looksaikongdin.
  • Christian Rontini – Filipino footballer, he decided to convert to Islam from Catholicism
  • Leda Rafanelli – Italian publisher, anarchist, and prolific author, her experience living briefly in Alexandria, Egypt, cemented her interest in Eastern ideas and led to her studying the Arabic language and converting to Islam
  • Mahalini Raharja – Indonesian singer and actress

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  • Joram van Klaveren – former Dutch politician who attempted to ban mosques and all Islamic practices from Netherlands; after working on a book to conclusively 'disprove' Islam, Joram's research drastically changed his views, he later converted to Islam
  • Jorvan VieiraLuso-Brazilian football coach
  • Bryant Neal Vinas – Hispanic American, once joined al Qaeda training camps, later turning on them to help the US, in attempt to turn his life around; his prosecutors called him the "single most valuable cooperating witness" about Qaeda activities; his judge was angered when, after a 3-month sentence, the FBI refused to provide him witness-protection
  • Michel ValsanRomanian diplomat and author
  • Pierre Vogel – German former boxer, now an Islamic preacher
  • Jacques Vergès – Siamese-born French lawyer and anti-colonial activist.

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Based on former religion