Cat Stevens: Something Bad Has Begun

[goodhue]

http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/showcase/la-oe-islam28sep28.story

September 28, 2004

COMMENTARY
Something Bad Has Begun
The former Cat Stevens says he hasn't changed but the U.S. has.

COMMENTARY
By Yusuf Islam, Yusuf Islam, the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens, was deported to Britain last week after being refused entry into the United States.

* * *

God almighty! Is this the same planet I'd taken off from? I was devastated. The unbelievable thing is that only two months earlier, I had been having meetings in Washington with top officials from the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to talk about my charity work. Even further back, one month after the attack on the World Trade Center, I was in New York meeting Peter Gabriel and Hillary Rodham Clinton at the World Economic Forum!

* * *

Consistently I have condemned the attacks of 9/11, stating that the slaughter of innocents, the taking of hostages and coldblooded killing of women and children have nothing do with the teachings of Islam. I've openly and publicly repudiated the actions of groups that resort to such acts of inhumanity — whatever their names. Any allegations to the contrary are fabricated. The Koran equates the murder of one innocent person with the murder of all of humanity.

Ever since I embraced Islam in 1977, people have regularly tried to link me with things I have nothing to do with. Take the Salman Rushdie case as an example, or the regurgitating of the accusation that I support groups like Hamas.

I am a man of peace, and I denounce all forms of terrorism and injustice; it is simply outrageous for anyone to suggest otherwise. The fact that I have sympathy for ordinary people in the world who are suffering from occupation, tyranny, poverty or war is human and has nothing to do with politics or terrorism.

* * *

[Parche]

1. US

Dont worry Cat, by 21January 2005 you will be allowed back in the
US, when John Kerry is President

[TexasSissy]

2. I don't care about Cat Stevens! When is he gonna get it?

What is he up to by making such a fuss? He's on a list. He doesn't get in. He has no RIGHTS in that regard. If he wants off the list, just prove that he didn't give $$$ to a Hamas charity, and that's it. Otherwise, go back from whence you came, Cat! You gave up capitalism years ago. remember? Our capitalistic society can't you let you in right this minute. Try later.

[goodhue]

6. Did you read the article?

Two months ago he was in Washington DC meeting with the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

[Catt03]

7. I don't get it

Are you saying that he gave money to Hamas?

And why does he have to prove anything? Where is the evidence that he is guilty?

[goodhue]

9. some background

http://catstevens.com/articles/00203/

[kikiek]

13. I read the other day can't recall where it was a misspelling of his name

that caused it.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mhr]

3. Take That Freepers - Peace Train Here We Come!

eom

[bif]

4. The U.S. has changed? No shit Sherlock!

Where've you been for the last couple years? Get a brain, moran!

[goodhue]

8. Why is he a moran?

Because he made lame music?
Because he converted to Islam?
Because he espouses peace?
What is with all the Cat hatred amongst DU'ers?

[Ilsa]

5. Oh no. Hillary is going to pay...

I can smell the freepish emails on their way as we speak...

"...I was in New York meeting Peter Gabriel and Hillary Rodham Clinton at the World Economic Forum!"

[goodhue]

10. What about the White House . . .

"I had been having meetings in Washington with top officials from the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to talk about my charity work."

[Ilsa]

11. Good point, but they'll

just lie about it and deny it unless Yusef got his picture taken in the Oval Office.

[dweller]

12. the boy with the moon and star on his head

"Need I say that any form of terrorism or violence is the antithesis of everything I
love and stand for? Anyone who knows me will attest to this. I have spent my life
in the search for peace and understanding, and that was mirrored clearly in my
music. Since becoming a Muslim, I have devoted my life to education, charity and
helping children around the world. "

"The Koran equates the murder of one innocent person with the murder of all of humanity."

some here just don't get it, Cat.
dp

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

16. ...wow..it finally dawns on me what is meant by that title..

....a symbol associated with Islam is the crescent moon and the star.

[dweller]

18. or maybe just...

"They'd never seen anything like the boy with the moon and star before.
And people would ride from far and wide just to seek the word he spread
I'll tell you everything I've learned, and Love is all...he said."


peace
dp

[Politicub]

14. Cat Stevens being sent back was a stunt by Bushco

He or his people arranged this to happen so it appears that Bush is keeping all Muslims out of America, even the peace loving ones. Narrow minded people respond to this play on thier fear of people who are different. Nothing happens by accident when it comes to Bush.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

15. Well, didnt it finally come out this was a case of mistaken identity/

The wrong Yusuf Islam?

After all, as he says, he was in the country earlier this year without incident.

[muriel_volestrangler]

19. I think they were saying that was why he was allowed on the plane

the airline saw different spellings on the list of 'banned people', and his passport, so let him fly; the US government did want him banned, so they diverted the plane.

[rfkrocks]

17. allright riddle me this fellow DUers

I have several Cat stevens' cds and love his music BUT everytime I read his statements I feel something very wierd is missing-for example here "I have condemned ...coldblooded killing of women and children". EXCUSE ME but what about cold blooded killing of men. Since when is that ok-how about killing is wrong-is that so hard to say-and I have a big problem with the whole Rushdie thing although he says he was misquoted-

[muriel_volestrangler]

20. he may not not believe in a blanket 'killing is wrong'

because very few people do. Most accept there is such a thing as a just war (eg the Allies in World War II), and many also accept the death penalty. He does condemn the 'slaughter of innocents', which may include innocent men.

[yelladawg]

22. Cat Stevens should be allowed to enter the US

He has been anti-war since the 60's. He is still anti-war.

What's the problem?

[MISSDem]

23. Love ya Cat. You were

a part of my youth and are still in my music collection.

[MundoQueGanar]

24. where's the outrage?

Why is it that the big question that the mainstream media were asking was not "How dare they ban this guy from flying?", but "How did this guy ever get on the plane in the first place?"

TED freakin KENNEDY has been prevented from flying, and he's a damn senator! Where does it stop?

[goodhue]

26. indeed

eom