Jermaine Jackson: 'I Wish It Was Me,' Michael A 'Gift From Allah' (VIDEO)

(AP Article, Scroll Down for Video)

NEW YORK -- Jermaine Jackson says he would like to see Neverland Ranch as his brother Michael's final resting place.

In an interview broadcast Thursday on NBC's "Today" show, Jermaine Jackson also said he wishes he had died instead of his younger brother, and that Michael was "a gift from Allah."

"He went too soon. I don't know how people are going to take this, but I wish it was me," Jermaine Jackson said.

When asked why he felt that way, Jermaine Jackson said he always felt that he was Michael's "backbone."

"I wanted to be there for him. I was there and he was sort of like molded. Things he couldn't say, I would say them. During the trials, during everything ..."

Jermaine Jackson said that when he rushed to UCLA Medical Center last Thursday, where the 50-year-old pop singer was pronounced dead, "I wanted to see Michael, and I wanted to see my brother, and see him there lifeless and breathless was very emotional for me, but I held myself together, because I know he's very much alive."

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"His spirit is, and that was just a shell, but I kissed him on his forehead and I hugged him, and I touched him and I said, `Michael, I'll never leave you. You'll never leave me.'"

On Wednesday, Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine said a public memorial was in the works but it wouldn't be held at Neverland.

A person familiar with the situation told the AP that permits for a burial at the sprawling Santa Barbara, Calif., estate could not be arranged in time. The person was not authorized to speak for the family and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Jackson said Neverland was Michael's home.

"He created this. Why wouldn't he be here? I feel his presence."

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Comments

[Disuberence]

This story just keeps getting odder and odder...

[gladys46]

CNN reports that D.Rowe will speak with a reporter about whether or not she will seek custody of two of Michael's children. If she does decide to seek custody (she does have standing) the judge would have to split these children up to find for Rowe. That, in my estimation, would NOT be in the best interest of these three children. The third child is not an issue.

We shall wait to see what Rowe has to say on Thursday of next week, reportedly the day she is to speak with some unnamed reporter.

[Taliese]

I heard she said that she'd be willing to take the baby too. :-(

[gladys46]

If any judge would go against Michael's last request concerning the children and find for Rowe, I would hope that she would be ordered to take all three of those children.

Frankly, I just can't see any prudent judge removing those children from Katherine Jackson. I believe they are considered of tender years, many times judges won't quiz children of those ages as to who they would want to live with in this particular situation. However, the judge just may ask them .. their response would most probably be taken into consideration.

[SM72]

Thank you for your clarification. The only people in the Jackson Family who were baptized into the Jehovah's Witness faith were Katherine (the mom), Rebbie and Michael. The rest of the family, especially Joe, never was. As far as I know, only the mother and Rebbie still practice. Michael stopped many years ago. Also, at the BET awards, Janet was wearing a large cross. Jehovah's Witnesses do not wear crosses or any other religious ornaments/articles. Jermaine did convert to Islam, perfectly ok as we are all free moral agents. This is why he keeps saying allah. The family, as a a whole, were never entirely Jehovah's Witnesses. Just attending meetings does not make you one. Gee, I hope I made my point without offending anyone or sounding judgementa­l.......

[Lucille]

No you were not judgemental at all, thank you for the clairfications.

[gladys46]

Co-sign.

[Lucille]

God bless and protect Michal Jackson and the Jackson family. Amen.

[Lucille]

Jermaine and the rest of his family can never get together, even just around the kitchen table, and sing the old tunes, because their brother Michael is dead (of course they could be it will never sound the same again).

It must be completely devastating to lose a sibling, especially someone you've had so many incredible experiences with. I'm sure it's like a bug hole in his soul that will never be replaced (at least that's how I feel about my parent's death).

I'm starting to think maybe, if possible, the entire family should leave California. The constant reporting on them; some incredible bad memories there; perhaps they should gather, like a tribe, and just find another state to call home, of course not leaving the beloved remains of Michael behind.

[mollie100]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Jackson family. May God keep Michael in his loving care.

[TainoBoy]

Michael Jackson Most powerful words.

Now tell me what has become of my life.
I have a wife and two children who love me.
I am the vi.ctim of police brut.ality­, no.
I'm tired of bein' the victim of h.ate.
You're ra.pin' me of my pride,
Oh, for God's sake.
I look to heaven to fulfill its prophecy.
Set me free.

[bklynlady]

How many suburban at home moms are addicted to prescription drugs and their husbands aren't even aware of it. How many catholic priest have been accused and charged molesting and raping young boys? Who are we to judge? Only God can judge us.



Michael was NEVER found gulity of any of these accusations!



R.I.P KING OF POP!

may God give you children and family the strength that is needed to get thru this painful period in their lives...

[wanttruth]

My prayers go out to Michael and the Jackson family!

[gladys46]

I'm not a "religious" person ... I am spiritually connected though .. to all things G odly !! I'm retired, working at home on my pc ... and guess what, I will stay here at HP on and off ... just keepin' 'em honest !

All of my friends, associates & family send our best love to the Jackson Family, and will continue to keep Michael's great music alive because he made us so, so happy, even though he may not have been himself !

[gintheb]

Very touching.

[gladys46]

Michele ... what would you say of the Biblical King David, he who danced out of his clothing ... all in the streets ! Rev. Sharpton can dance any way he pleases !

I do so loathe hypocrisy !!!

[Manchesterian]

Germaine, as a believer you know that the creator said, "I knew you before you were conceived, I knew you when you were in your mother's womb, I knew where you will live, where you wll go and what you will do. I knew the length of your days.... " may not be an exact quote, neverthele­ss..

The creator gave Michael the talent of archangels, and you the strength and grace to mourn his death and continue living. You were his backbone in life and will need to be his backbone in death because he can no longer defend himself, or comfort your mother or physically care for his children.


Give thanks to the creator for the unique life you have been given.

You are Germaine, and the creator sent you to the world to make a difference and you did. The creator will call you home when it is your time to go. . Michael's been called home - his work is now done. Your life and work continues.

Five talents have I
To take to the sky
While others are blessed
With ten of the best
Why should I complain
From duty refrain
No never, No never
Not I

- Nursery School

You might be able to help your mother make Michael bigger in death than he was in life, if that is at all possible. Live on my brother Germaine! Yours and Michael's life unfolded in just the way Allah meant it.

[MsIrisMG]

How come you can't spell his name right when it's right in front of you?!

[gladys46]

And, they said Michael couldn't sing any more ... well, please witness him singing & dancing wonderfully on video of his last rehearsals ... two days before he passed.

Somebody ought to be sued for all this slander !

[justme1990]

Mike's voice was so clear and strong, I thought he was lip-syncing at first. Then the reporter confirmed he was indeed singing.

Amazing!

[gladys46]

Yes. Had the reporter said that Michael was lip-syncing, I would NOT have believed him/her ... they l ie far too much for moi !!!

[wanttruth]

Well said.

[TainoBoy]

Well said.

[TainoBoy]

Michael Jackson last word to his ha.ters!!!­!!

All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us,
(Don't worry what people say, we got it true).

All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us,
(Enough is enough of this gar.bage)

[gladys46]

Indeed !

[AnalyzeIT]

Jermaine, you are grieving right now and probably will be for some time to come ad will many of us over the loss of Michael.

However, we are all gifts from Allah or what ever Heavenly Entity we choose be be affiliated with and under the control off.

It is the way it is and for the reason it is. Michael's death is not in vain. He, like you and I, have to go to the next level at some time or another. Although we thinks it was to soon for him to go, but then who are we to say.

Pay attention to everything that is happening surrounding Michael's passing - there are many, many lessons to be learned and those lesson are "GIFTS to us from Michael."

Make it positive NOT sad.

Rest in peace Michael, you are loved more than you will ever know.
*

[gladys46]

Thousands celebrate Michael in dance and song, even Rev. Sharpton at the Apollo ... the media made slight of that celebration ... making subliminal mockery of the Rev. dancing !

There is no pleasing media foodfeasting .... "Leave Me Alone" ... comes to mind !!!

[TainoBoy]

Well said.

[Michele Himmel]

Most people were offended by a supposed Rev grinding his pelvis on a woman. That is unacceptable behavior, dance or not, for a man who claims to be a man of God.