By Nimot Sulaimon
Nigerian film and record producer, Abdulrasheed Bello, better known as JJC Skillz, has reverted to Islam.
He revealed this in an interview recently, noting that he was born a Muslim but never practised the religion.
According to him, returning to Islam has given him peace, and he expresses joy and happiness over it.
“It’s God’s design that I will return to Islam. I thank Allah for sparing my life. I am so happy I found Islam again because it has given me peace. It has given me direction and focus. I was truly lost but now, I am found,” he said.
Speaking further, he said, “I was born a Muslim – AbdurRasheed by name. My dad, Bello is a Muslim, but my mum is a Christian. Back then, I used to go to Islamiyah, but all I remembered about it was getting beaten.They used to scare us with hellfire, so, I never practised.
“When I was 14, I moved to England and I didn’t have anyone to direct me or teach me Islam. Around that time, I got into music. I was just floating in the world. I was just living my life without recognizing God.
“Because my mum is a Christian, I got acquainted with Christianity. It was during that period, Christianity was preached to me. I saw it as the religion of peace that Islam actually is.”
“Growing up, I started making research about Islam and I discovered that Jesus, Prophet Isa, was a Muslim. He bowed down and prayed to Allah. Moses bowed down to worship Allah. Abraham bowed down and prayed to Allah, and these are our forefathers in religion.
“During my research, I found out that the best for me is Islam. My big brother, who is a devout Muslim with great knowledge of Islam, taught me a little more about Islam and I realized that Allah is not scary, He is Merciful. I took the shahadah and proclaimed Islam.”
When asked if he chose to go back to Islam because he is no more with his wife, Funke Akindele, JJC Skillz said the decision has nothing to do with her.
“No! It has nothing to do with her. It is more like a personal journey. Allah called me at the right time. I am lucky, I was called. It was only by the grace of God I found Islam. I am grateful to have the opportunity to worship Allah now. I am happy to be a true servant of Allah,” he noted.