Is Popstar SZA Muslim?
SZA, born Solána Imani Rowe on November 8th 1989, is an American singer-songwriter, fashion icon and famous celebrity. Since making music in her early 20s, she's now received a Grammy, American Music Award, Billboard Awards and multiple prestigious nominations.
But is this famous female popstar a Muslim or not? It's time to explore.
Are SZA's parents religious?
Rowe spent her early years in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her father worked for CNN and is Muslim, and her mother was an executive at AT&T and practises Christianity. However, despite being from a multi-faith family, SZA was raised as a devout Muslim, and even wore a hijab as a youngster.
Unfortunately after the 9/11 attacks, Rowe was bullied and decided to remove her headscarf. She says she does not wear her headscarf now due to being on stage around music figures and not wanting to disrespect the religion.
So, is SZA a Muslim? 🤔
Yes - SZA is a practising Muslim. In interviews she has mentioned her belief in the one true God and her connection with the five pillars of Islam.
In fact, the last two letters in her stage name stand for Zig-Zag and Allah!
SZA's music talks about themes of self-love, self-acceptance and how to navigate the ups and downs of life as a young woman, much like her peer Dua Lipa who was also raised in a Muslim household. As a result, her music is seen as uplifting and empowering.
Does SZA talk about being a Muslim?
In 2021, during a TikTok Live with influencer Muslim Girl, the popstar delved into a discussion about her Muslim identity. In honor of Muslim Womens' Day, SZA shared personal anecdotes and reflections on her experiences growing up as a Muslim woman. She spoke passionately about the misconceptions surrounding Islam and a woman's place within it, and she took the time to dispel some of these misunderstandings. Her candid conversation underscored the fact that Muslim women, like her, are multifaceted and capable of achieving great success in various fields.
However, SZA also revealed during the Live session that she had gone through a period of questioning her faith during her late teens and early twenties. This period was characterised by deep introspection and spiritual exploration, a journey that many young adults can relate to.
Although she admits she doesn't always align perfectly with every aspect of the faith, SZA still identifies as a Muslim. She considers herself a spiritual person who values the teachings of Islam that have been instilled in her since childhood. She noted, however, that her personal beliefs might not be reflective of mainstream Muslim teachings.
Other celebrities from the world of the arts who are vocal advocates of Islam include Bella Hadid and Gigi Hadid, who are ardent supporters of Palestinian rights.
In This Article
