December 19th 2003. The latest news from the Jackson camp keeps getting stranger. The New York Post reported yesterday that Michael Jackson became a member of the black group Nation of Islam organization led by Black Muslim Louis Farrakhan.

In what was supposed to be a Jackson family reunion this weekend at which relatives would be taken on a tour of Neverland to see damage done by sheriff's deputies when they searched the ranch, has now become an event described by Michaels spokesman Stuart Backerman as "reinforcement and support" for the entertainer as he returns to his estate after being charged with child molestation. This event was described as a combination holiday party (does he still celebrate Christmas now that he is a member of the NOI?) and thank you to supporters.

The Original guest list for Saturday's event was for about 300 people, but it is growing daily and may be double that by the time the party begins. A larger amount of yet undisclosed celebrities are expected to attend the event.

Brian Oxman, a close Jackson family friend said "It's for family and friends to say thank you from Michael to people he loves and who have supported him...t's not a party. It's not a pep rally. It's not hoopla or celebration. They wanted to do something simple and quiet and the fact that it's mushroomed into these huge proportions is just the nature of Michael's life."

In other Jackson Family news, Janet Jackson will be the featured performer during the halftime show sponsored by AOL at the Super Bowl on Feb. 1 in Houston. The gala will be produced by MTV.

"There is no bigger spectacle than the Super Bowl," said Janet Jackson "It's a unique and exciting experience that I have looked forward to for many years."

The Post went far enough to say that "The King of Pop is restyling himself Jacko X" and that "High-ranking members of Nation of Islam have been working to bring Michael into Farrakhan's flock -- and Michael's conversion is now well known in the NOI community,"

Why would the soft spoken, universal love preaching King of Pop want to become a member of Farrakhan's outspoken organization? It is well know how the NOI is so controversial because of Farrakhan's its leaders' anti-Semitic and anti-gay declarations.

Michael's brother Jermaine converted to Islam in 1989. Fox News reported that Jermaine had brought Leonard Muhammad, Farrakhan's chief of staff into Michael's inner-circle as "a bodyguard".  We have been told that Jermaine and Muhammad were "making the case to Michael that he was a victim of racism and that only the NOI could save him".

The opinion of most of those that I interviewed that this move will only further alienate Michael from his core group of fans and supporters but time will tell.