weakest link

[suavegav]

Hello, im watching the weakest link and there is a guy on it called Ali Ahkbar. Anne asked him if hed always been called Ali, he said no, he used to be called jonathon Clarke, but had converted to Islam 2 years ago.
Just curious, nothing against Islam, but why do people who convert to Islam choose to change their name? Does this happen in other religions.

[Sylar]

I haven't "changed" my name per se, but when I was baptized into the Catholic Church, I gained a confirmation name - it's to symoblise being reborn as a child of God, and the new name is a symbol of your "rebirth".

I think the premise is the same in Islam, but I don't honestly know. I know a lot of folks take the name Mohammed with their conversion, but I've not heard of a full name change.

[Lucius Apuleius]

Maybe as Scott says above.

Cassius Clay, Cat Stevens etc.

Us Proddies are stuck with the name we have and that is it.

By the way, Mohamad, Mohammed, Mohamed, Mohammad, Mahamad, all different spellings of people I have working for me at the minute.

Confusing:grr: