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15 Famous Muslim Celebrities In The World
Muslims are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. So we have many Muslim celebrities in the world who have gained global recognition in various fields. From sports and entertainment to politics and business, they have achieved fame and success.
In this article, RNN highlights some of these notable Muslim celebrities, showcasing their talent and contributions.
Famous Muslim Celebrities In The World
- Muhammad Ali
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Irrfan Khan
- Mahershala Ali
- Raekwon
- Aasif Mandvi
- DJ Khaled
- Shohreh Aghdashloo
- Riz Ahmed
- Hasan Minhaj
- Ramy Youssef
- Bella Hadid
- Zayn Malik
- Dr.Oz
- Akon
15. Akon
Akon, the R&B singer famous for songs like “Smack That” and “I Wanna Love You,” is one of the most famous Muslim celebrities in the world. His full name is Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but he considers Senegal his home country because he spent much of his childhood there.
In June 2015, before performing in Morocco, he talked to The National newspaper in Abu Dhabi about his career and faith. He stated, “I was born a Muslim, and there has always been a debate about Islam and music. I never saw the performing aspect of music itself but rather the intention. Even in our daily prayers in Islam, we pray with melody. The call to prayer worldwide is also melodious. So, no one can say that music is forbidden or ‘haram.'”
14. Dr.Oz
Dr. Mehmet Cengiz Öz, commonly known as Dr. Oz, is a well-known Muslim celebrity. He was born on June 11, 1960, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Turkish immigrants Suna and Mustafa Öz. Dr. Oz is a prominent American television presenter, physician, author, and former professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Columbia University. He also ventured into politics, running as a conservative Republican in the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania, making history as the first Muslim candidate nominated by a major party for this position. However, he was defeated by Democratic nominee Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman.
13. Zayn Malik
Zayn Malik, the former One Direction member, became a successful solo artist, connecting with fans worldwide. He promotes unity and tolerance and proudly represents his Muslim heritage, making young Muslims feel included. Zayn Malik, also known as Zayn, is a British singer who auditioned for The X Factor in 2010.
Malik was born on January 12, 1993, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, he has a Pakistani Muslim father, Yaser Malik, and a White British mother, Trisha Malik, who converted to Islam upon marriage.
Malik, who can speak English, and Urdu, and read Arabic, faced anti-Muslim attacks in the past. In 2017, he declared himself a non-practicing Muslim and didn’t want to be defined by his religion. By November 2018, he no longer identified as a Muslim.
12. Bella Hadid
Sabella Khairiah Hadid is one of the most famous Muslim celebrities in the world. She was born on October 9, 1996, in Washington, D.C. Her father, Mohamed Hadid, is a Palestinian-Jordanian real estate developer, and her mother, Yolanda Hadid (formerly van den Herik), is a former Dutch model.
During a 2017 interview, Hadid expressed her pride in being a Muslim and discussed her opposition to President Trump’s immigration policies, drawing on her father’s refugee history. In a March 2022 interview with American Vogue, she shared her spiritual lifestyle, mentioning her upbringing’s exposure to Judaism and her interest in Islam. Hadid emphasized her spiritual connection with various religions, focusing on unity rather than religious differences.
11. Ramy Youssef
Ramy Youssef, a famous Muslim celebrity worldwide, hails from New York City’s Queens borough. He’s of Egyptian descent and has a background in stand-up comedy, acting, screenwriting, and directing.
Youssef grew up in a Muslim home in New Jersey, where he observed Islamic holidays and remains a devout Muslim. He attended Rutherford High School and started studying political science and economics at Rutgers University, Newark. However, he left before completing his degree to pursue acting at William Esper Studio.
10. Hasan Minhaj
Hasan Minhaj was born on September 23, 1985, in Davis, California, to Muslim parents Najme and Seema Minhaj from India. His father, an organic chemist, stayed in the U.S. after Hasan’s birth, while his mother returned to India for eight years to complete medical school, coming back to the U.S. to give birth to Hasan’s sister in 1989.
He uses satire, observational humor, and black comedy in his comedy, focusing on Indian culture and American politics. Hasan’s Netflix show, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, won an Emmy Award, a Peabody Award, and two Webby Awards, and he was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in 2019.
9. Riz Ahmed
Riz Ahmed, a well-known Muslim celebrity, is a versatile actor and rapper who has excelled in both music and film. He received critical acclaim for his roles in movies like “Nightcrawler” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Riz actively supports diversity and inclusion in Hollywood and addresses Islamophobia through his work, using his fame to challenge stereotypes.
Ahmed was born on December 1, 1982, in Wembley, London, Riz comes from a British-Pakistani family with roots in Karachi, Pakistan. His parents immigrated to England in the 1970s. His father works as a shipping broker, and he is a descendant of Shah Muhammad Sulaiman, the first Muslim Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court during British colonial rule in India.
8. Shohreh Aghdashloo
Shohreh Aghdashloo, also known as Shohreh Vaziri-Tabar, was born on May 11, 1952, in Tehran, Iran, to Effie (née alSadat) and Anushiravan Vaziri-Tabar. She grew up in a Muslim family with three brothers: Shahram, Shahriar, and Shahrokh. Shohreh Aghdashloo is both an Iranian and American actress who has won awards such as a Primetime Emmy and a Satellite Award, and she was also nominated for an Academy Award.
Aghdashloo, an Iranian-American actress, was born into a Muslim family. She believed that her Muslim background may have cost her a role in the 2011 thriller “The Adjustment Bureau,” where director George Nolfi had initially wanted her to play the role of God. Aghdashloo expressed that she doesn’t typically introduce herself as a Muslim woman, but the distribution company made assumptions based on her background.
7. DJ Khaled
Khaled Mohammed Khaled, born on November 26, 1975, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Palestinian parents who came to the United States, is known professionally as DJ Khaled. He is an American DJ, record producer, and record executive. Khaled’s brother Alec Ledd, also known as Alaa Khaled, is an actor.
His parents, who were musicians, introduced him to Arabic music. This exposure sparked his passion for rap and soul music from a young age, and his parents encouraged his interest. He gained early experience working at a local Merry-Go-Round record store, which laid the foundation for his music career.
Khaled identifies himself as a devout Muslim.
6. Aasif Mandvi
Aasif Mandvi was born in Maharashtra, India, to a Dawoodi Bohra Muslim family. His family moved to England when he was one year old, settling in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Aasif’s father, Hakim, initially worked in textiles research at Bradford University and later ran a corner shop. His mother, Fatima, worked as a nurse. Aasif Mandvi is known for his work on The Daily Show from 2006 to 2017 and has appeared in The Brink and Evil.
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.”
5. Raekwon
Corey Woods, also known as Raekwon, is an American rapper and one of the most famous Muslim celebrities in the world. He got the name Raekwon from the Five-Percent Nation, a branch of the Nation of Islam, during his youth. In 2009, he converted to Islam. In 2017, when asked about the Trump administration’s travel ban on refugees and visitors from certain Muslim-majority countries, Raekwon said, “Allah will handle it in his own time. For now, I’m focused on my kids and career, letting things unfold naturally.”
4. Mahershala Ali
Mahershala Ali, an Oscar-winning actor, impresses audiences with his remarkable performances in movies like “Moonlight” and “Green Book.” He’s won two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a Primetime Emmy. Time magazine listed him as one of the world’s most influential people in 2019, and The New York Times ranked him among the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century in 2020. Born on February 16, 1974, in Oakland, California, to William Goines and Phillip Gilmore, Ali was raised as a Christian. His father, an actor, appeared on Broadway.
In 2000, Ali converted to Ahmadiyya Islam and changed his surname to Ali. He’s spoken about experiencing racial profiling at airports and banks after the September 11 attacks. His faith is a significant part of his identity and serves as a positive role model for Muslims in the entertainment industry.
3. Irrfan Khan
Irrfan Khan is one of the most famous Muslim celebrities in the world. He was born on January 7, 1967, in Tonk, Rajasthan, and came from a Muslim family with Pathan roots. His mother, Saeeda Begum Khan, hailed from Tonk, and his father, Yaseen Ali Khan, was from Khajuriya village in Rajasthan’s Tonk district, running a tire business.
In 2012, he changed his name from “Irfan” to “Irrfan,” adding an extra “r” because he liked how it sounded. Later, he dropped “Khan” from his name, stating in a 2016 interview that he wanted his work to define him, not his lineage.
Irrfan Khan was a renowned actor in Indian, British, and American cinema, recognized as one of the finest actors worldwide. His career spanned more than 30 years, earning him numerous awards, including a National Film Award, an Asian Film Award, and six Filmfare Awards. Sadly, he was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in March 2018 and passed away on April 29, 2020, at the age of 53 due to the disease.
2. Shaquille O’Neal
O’Neal was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey, to Lucille O’Neal and Joe Toney, is an American ex-NBA player. He currently works as a sports analyst on the TV show Inside the NBA.
O’Neal’s upbringing was influenced by his Baptist mother and Muslim stepfather. He learned from both of them. Robin Wright’s book, “Rock the Casbah,” and the Los Angeles Times have identified O’Neal as a Muslim. However, O’Neal himself has stated, “I embrace different faiths; I’m a people person—I’m Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and more.”
1. Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, originally known as Cassius Clay and born in Louisville, Kentucky, embraced Islam in the 1960s and practiced it faithfully. In December 2015, he made a statement condemning extremism, stating, “True Muslims reject the violent actions of self-proclaimed Islamic Jihadists as contrary to our religion’s principles. Our political leaders should use their influence to promote understanding about Islam and clarify the distortion these misguided killers have created.”
Ali, an American professional boxer and activist, was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. He earned the nickname “the Greatest” and is widely recognized as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time.
On June 2, 2016, Ali was admitted to a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, due to respiratory problems. While initially described as in fair condition, his health deteriorated, and he passed away the following day at the age of 74 from septic shock.