So, I've done some research...and I'm still confused. I remember a while back people were talking about how he's a terrorist, then my uncle was singing random snippets of songs from Tea for the Tellerman the other day, then he talked about how peopel thought Cat Stevens was a terrorist. So I've done some research, read some biographical stuff about (interesting stuff!)...but what do you guys think about him? What do you know about him? I thought he converted by Islam recently, but the bio I found said it was in 1977...why did he convert? Did he just get sick of the commercialization of his music? Did he not expect that? I'm sure I have some more questions, but that is all for now...I'll probably more questions about replies that you guys give!
I'm not sure why he converted, I think he was in the hospital or something and his brother gave him a copy of the Qur'an, so he read it and was moved by it. I seem to recall reading that. Might have had to do with how chaotic his life was getting at the time, being a big star and all. Anyways, I think he was being called a terrorist because he was donating money to some shady charities. He maintains the charities are good and pure. I don't know what ever came of it. I also think he said something about how brave the hijackers were, or the Palistinians were, or something like that.
I just read his name - and now I forget. But I think it's something like Yusef Islam. I'd be interesting to here more abotu this, too. Yes - he can't fly into the USA.
His name is now Yusef Islam. He was a major player in the peace/non-violence movement of the late 60s/early 70s, with songs like "Peace Train". He did in fact convert to Islam in the late 70s after a severe bout of tuberculosis. He recut the song Peace Train right after we invaded Iraq, and in fact did enter the US in 2000 but was almost immediately deported to England, his home. In the 80s a man named Salman Rushdie wrote a book titled "The Satanic Verses" which according to Ayatollah Khomeni of Iran (among others) was deemed insulting and inflammatory to the Prophet Mohammed. Most of the Islamic world wanted Rushdie sent to Saudi Arabia for public execution, in accordance with Muslim law. Yusef Islam publicly supported Khomeni in this bid to have Rushdie executed, and this is the sole reason he is on the no-fly list. It amazes me that a man, so openly and publicly dedicated to peace and love, would support something so savage, but that is the law in his belief system and I suppose he is entitled to that. Learn more about Cat Stevens here: http://www.yusufislam.org.uk/index.shtml And here: http://catstevens.com/ He is still heavily involved in the peace movement and various charities, and has recently completed a new album, the proceeds of which will benefit tsunami survivors.
there isn't a religion out there that says you should kill for God. Cat Stevens' conversion to Islam had nothing to do with what certain people today think Islam is about, namely terrorism. his conversion had to do with a personal crisis he was dealing with at the time. when he contracted tb he was laying up in hospital with serious doubts about his life and how he had been living it. he became aware of his own mortality. this prompted him to go on a search, looking into easten religions and philosophies. he came to realize or ponder over the meaning of life, and this was apparent is his new lyrics, for example the songs "father and son", "on the road to findout", "trouble", "miles from nowhere", and "where do the children play?" and the song "(I never wanted) to be a star" tells you that he started wanting to renounce all the seemingly pointless things he used to be preocupied with. he began to study the different religions of the world with the intent of finding something new (to him) that he could believe in. I was born into a catholic family and I too had had serious doubts about it. I don't consider myself a catholic at all anymore. Yusuf Islam is now a devout Muslim, and not because he's supporting bin laden or anything. laden's just a lunatic who's looking for a reason to justify his actions. just cause he says he's killing in the name of God does not mean it is true. and that is not what Islam is about. I myself have read the Qur'an and it is very easy to mistake some verses which would seem to be promoting the killing of christians or jews or non-Muslims in general. that is true for the bible as well, but only if it too is misinterpreted. he now takes part in many charity efforts. his album "I have no cannons that roar" was to aid children dealing with losses as a result of war. I was born in Yugoslavia (and my family left as the war broke out when I was 8 years old) and so I can't help but feel a special gratitude towards him and his efforts. another very interesting experience which Cat Stevens went through was a period in his life when he was still torn in his beliefs about God and religion. he was in the LA area somewhere by the ocean when he decided to go for a swim, unknown to him how dangerous it is because of the currents. so he went in and before even realizing how far he had been carried out he turned to swim back to shore. this is when he realized he was basically powerless in the waters. he had no energy to swim against the tides and currents. feeling helpless and thinking this may well be the end, and having used up all ideas as to how to ecsape the ocean, he called out to God "O God, if you save me, I'll work for you!" At the very moment he uttered this a strong current carried him back to shore, with minimal effort from Cat himself. now I'm not saying God had a hand in saving him or anything. but I can't know if it's true or not. this is just another experience for Cat which made him plunge into religion even deeper. but it is a story well worth keeping in mind.
there isn't a religion out there that says you should kill for God this is not true "I myself have read the Qur'an and it is very easy to mistake some verses which would seem to be promoting the killing of christians or jews or non-Muslims in general" what do you mistake those verses for ? do you think they are peaceful ? I mean if I say kill the pagans or that you may not like fighting but its good for you, or crucify people who fight allah ,how can you mistake that ? the koran claims to be a book thats easy to understand so how can you mistake what its saying . I think you are a victim of disinformation or wishful thinking. anyway cat stevens as of today still thinks salman rushdie should be killed for insulting the mass murderer child rapist he thinks is a prophet . he says he wont do it in britain because at the moment we dont have islamic laws but thats the situation he wants to bring about . and partly because of his actions salman rushdie has had to spend nearly 20 years in hiding . but he sings crap like peace train or father and son with that guy from boyzone so people dont really care thats hes a nazi . I wouldnt buy a cat stevens aka yusef islam cd
