Islamopop With Cat Stevens?

[HappyFatChick]

Islamic convert Yusuf Islam,( formerly the pop star Cat Stevens) is banned from entering Israel after he was arrested and deported for giving thousands of dollars to Hamas:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/sto...er_cat_stevens

He supported the Islamic death sentence against Salman Rushdie, telling a group of Muslim students at London’s Kingston Polytechnic: “The Koran makes it clear, if someone defames the Prophet, then he must die.”

When the Salman Rushdie fatwa was first promoted to the Islamic world in 1989, Yusuf Islam threatened the life of Arab author Farrukh Dhondy on a UK TV panel: Our Islamic Fifth Column:

http://www.city-journal.org/html/11_4_our_islamic.html

In September 2004, he was denied entry into the United States and his plane forced to return to London because he’s on a terror watch list.

But Atlantic Records is proud to announce a new addition to their roster: Yusuf Islam Joins Atlantic Records.

http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/060907/0160855.html

W.T. F?????

[1300 Class]

So what...

[Burtimus]

Freedom of speech.

Freedom of religion.

[olivefun]

I think it is more than freedom of speech.

If he was giving money to hamas, a known terrorist organization, who thinks it alright to use Suicide Bombings to get their message across, it is more complex than that.

I forgot about his promotion of Hamas, though I did know it.

I posted his picture, thinking about him as Cat Stevens, looking at what he looked like and thinking about his music.

Thanks for this info.
He clearly wants access to the music industry as a kind of money laundering.

Hmmm. food for thought.
Thanks

[Dr. Fill]

I guess that's where the Peace Train led to...

[olivefun]

That is hysterical!

[Santaclear]

Originally Posted by olivefun

If he was giving money to hamas, a known terrorist organization, who thinks it alright to use Suicide Bombings to get their message across, it is more complex than that.
He clearly wants access to the music industry as a kind of money laundering.

Where are you getting that from about money laundering? I only found links to a number of stories where he decries and condemns terrorism. He donated the money to Hamas in 1988 when the organization was a year old.

[HappyFatChick]

Some of the public proof of his behavior is in my original post.

He supports Islam ("the religion of peace"). He financially supports radical Islam. He supports killing infidels. (Remember WE are infidels too.)

And now Americans are going to pay him to sing about it? I predict one big, whiney, "The U.S. done me wrong" song.

[olivefun]

The new album includes a cover of Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood which was a hit for the Animals, I assume he is using a guitar.

Reading this, he is trying to do some good things with his money.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/nationa...suf-album.html

Sounds like he is trying to clean up his image.

[Miss Vickie]

Actually, from Wikipedia (emphasis mine).

Controversy
[edit]
Salman Rushdie
On February 21, 1989 Yusuf Islam addressed students at Kingston University in London about his journey to Islam. He was asked to describe the controversy in the Muslim world and the fatwa promising Salman Rushdie's execution. Islam claims to have only stated the legal consequences from the Qur'an and not actually have made any claims of support for the fatwa. Newspapers quickly denounced Yusuf Islam's "support" for a possible assassination of Rushdie. Shortly afterwards he released a statement clarifying that he was not personally encouraging anybody towards vigilantism.

The New York Times reported on May 23, 1989 [9] that Islam was to be on a British television program the following week, and was quoted as saying:

[If Rushdie turned up at my doorstep looking for help,] I might ring somebody who might do more damage to him than he would like. I'd try to phone the Ayatollah Khomeini and tell him exactly where this man is.

Islam's most recent clarification of the issue is stated in a 2003 article on CatStevens.com[10], wherein he says that he never stated support but was straightforwardly describing what he understood of Muslim law, and laying the controversy at the door of "journalistic malice":

I was simply a new Muslim who had stated something which I considered quite plain and obvious and if you were to ask a Bible student you know what the Ten Commandments were you would expect him to repeat them honestly, you wouldn't blame him for doing so; the Bible is full of similar headlines if you’re looking for them.

The backlash over the Rushdie incident included the band 10,000 Maniacs, who had covered "Peace Train" on their 1987 In My Tribe album. The band deleted the song from subsequent pressings of their album as a protest against Islam's alleged remarks.

[edit]
Denial of entry into the United States
On 21 September 2004 Yusuf Islam was traveling on United Airlines Flight 919 from London to Washington. While the plane was in flight, the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System flagged his name as being on a no-fly list. Customs agents alerted the Transportation Security Administration, which then diverted his flight to Bangor, Maine, where he was detained by the FBI.

The following day Islam was deported back to the United Kingdom. The United States Transportation Security Administration claimed there were "concerns of ties he may have to potential terrorist-related activities." The United States Department of Homeland Security specifically alleged that Islam had provided funding to the Palestinian Islamic militant group Hamas, although it did not offer any proof of its allegation.

Islam's deportation provoked a small international controversy and led British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to complain personally to Secretary of State Colin Powell at the United Nations. Powell responded by stating that the watch list was under review, and added, "I think we have that obligation to review these matters to see if we are right."

His identification as being on the watch list may be in error. On 1 October 2004 Islam was reported to have requested the removal of his name and stated, "I remain bewildered by the decision of the US authorities to refuse me entry to the United States."[1] According to an official statement by Islam, the man on the list was named Yousef Islam, indicating that Yusuf Islam himself was in fact, not the suspected terror supporter.

[edit]
Libel case
As a footnote to the actions taken by the U.S. government in deporting Yusuf Islam as a terrorist, The Sun and The Sunday Times British newspapers had published reports in October 2004 which stated that the U.S. was correct in its action. As a result Yusuf Islam sued for libel, and received a substantial out-of-court, "agreed settlement" and apology from the newspapers.[11] Both newspapers acknowledged that Islam has never supported terrorism and that, to the contrary, he had recently been given a Man of Peace award. Islam responded that he was:

...delighted by the settlement [which] helps vindicate my character and good name. ... It seems to be the easiest thing in the world these days to make scurrilous accusations against Muslims, and in my case it directly impacts on my relief work and damages my reputation as an artist. The harm done is often difficult to repair.

He added that he intended to donate the financial award given to him by the court to help orphans of the recent Indian Ocean Tsunami. Yusuf Islam wrote about the experience in a newspaper article titled "A Cat in a Wild World".[12]



I hope this clarifies things a little. He has denied, vociferously, any support of Hamas. Obviously, if he supports Muslim causes (because, you know, he's a Muslim) some of that money may have been funneled to Hamas without his knowledge -- that happens with any kind of charitable giving. However, he has never supported Hamas, but rather supported peace and education through music and education.

[fatlane]

So is Mr. Islam gonna sue HFC for re-libelling him? I'll ask his solicitors...

[HappyFatChick]

Oh, I got more, plenty more on Mr. Islam. He can just bring it on.

[MoonGoddess]

Never have cared a rat's ass about Cat Stevens. And I still don't.

[Sandie_Zitkus]

Who cares? I love Cat Stevens. He is true to his religious beliefs - aren't you too HFC? Good god.

[Burtimus]

Originally Posted by HappyFatChick

Oh, I got more, plenty more on Mr. Islam. He can just bring it on.

I thought only God (or Allah) was the real judge.

Silly me.

[Guy]

Originally Posted by HappyFatChick

Islamic convert Yusuf Islam,( formerly the pop star Cat Stevens) is banned from entering Israel after he was arrested and deported for giving thousands of dollars to Hamas:

When the Salman Rushdie fatwa was first promoted to the Islamic world in 1989, Yusuf Islam threatened the life of Arab author Farrukh Dhondy on a UK TV panel: Our Islamic Fifth Column:

http://www.city-journal.org/html/11_4_our_islamic.html

In September 2004, he was denied entry into the United States and his plane forced to return to London because he’s on a terror watch list.

But Atlantic Records is proud to announce a new addition to their roster: Yusuf Islam Joins Atlantic Records.

http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/060907/0160855.html

W.T. F?????

Hey HFC, This is part of the article you linked:

"In the midst of his multi-platinum career, Stevens nearly drowned in the Pacific Ocean off Malibu, and experienced a spiritual turning point. Shortly thereafter, his brother gave him a copy of the Qur'an, and he was inspired to remake his life. Converting to Islam, in 1978 he left the music world entirely, changed his name, and devoted his life to charitable and educational work.

Yusuf founded three Muslim schools in London, and his pioneering work resulted in a landmark decision by the British government to certify and support Islamic education throughout the country. His U.N.-registered charity, Small Kindness, provides humanitarian relief to orphans and families in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and other regions. He is also one of the few individuals to finance women to attend university in Baghdad.

Yusuf has received a series of awards for his life's work, including the 2004 "Man for Peace," given by a committee of Nobel peace laureates. Most recently, he has been invited to join the Dalai Lama and a dozen Nobel peace laureates at the upcoming PeaceJam 10th Anniversary Youth Conference taking place in Denver in September. The goal of this historic event, which will be attended by 3,000 teenagers from 31 countries, is to inspire a new generation of peacemakers to transform their local communities, themselves, and the world."

So let me get this straight, he supports peace, education, and provideds humanitarian relief through charity work? Sounds dangerous alright!
And he seems to have the support of another troublemaker, the Dalai Lama!

I feel a lot safer now, knowing that Homeland Security is protecting me from the dangers of those who would promote peace, love, and understanding!

[fatlane]

Originally Posted by HappyFatChick

Oh, I got more, plenty more on Mr. Islam. He can just bring it on.

What? Pictures of him on a nude beach with that French presidential hopeful? THEN WHY ARE YOU SITTING ON THIS INFO??? CALL DHS NOW AND WARN THEM, THAT OUR LIVES MAY BE SAVED!!!!

While you're at it, let 'em know the sky *may* be falling.

[exile in thighville]

Originally Posted by HappyFatChick

Some of the public proof of his behavior is in my original post.

He supports Islam ("the religion of peace"). He financially supports radical Islam. He supports killing infidels. (Remember WE are infidels too.)

And now Americans are going to pay him to sing about it? I predict one big, whiney, "The U.S. done me wrong" song.

atlantic obviously signed him to rip off the original "religion of peace", christianity, and capitalize on the popularity of religions with violent histories. or they didn't busk a whim at that old "freedom of religion" thing and signed a recording artist (a pretty famous one, too) for his music. could be both.

[Friday]

Stevens/Islam is one of HFC's favorite whines. There is nothing here that she hasn't spewed before and it's all as BS now as it was then . The best thing to do is ignore it.

[fatlane]

Originally Posted by Friday

The best thing to do is ignore it.

OK, Ill try it.


Wow. Goes down smooth with no bitter aftertaste. Thanks for the serving suggestion, Friday!

[Miss Vickie]

Originally Posted by Guy

Hey HFC, This is part of the article you linked:

"In the midst of his multi-platinum career, Stevens nearly drowned in the Pacific Ocean off Malibu, and experienced a spiritual turning point. Shortly thereafter, his brother gave him a copy of the Qur'an, and he was inspired to remake his life. Converting to Islam, in 1978 he left the music world entirely, changed his name, and devoted his life to charitable and educational work.

Yusuf founded three Muslim schools in London, and his pioneering work resulted in a landmark decision by the British government to certify and support Islamic education throughout the country. His U.N.-registered charity, Small Kindness, provides humanitarian relief to orphans and families in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and other regions. He is also one of the few individuals to finance women to attend university in Baghdad.

Yusuf has received a series of awards for his life's work, including the 2004 "Man for Peace," given by a committee of Nobel peace laureates. Most recently, he has been invited to join the Dalai Lama and a dozen Nobel peace laureates at the upcoming PeaceJam 10th Anniversary Youth Conference taking place in Denver in September. The goal of this historic event, which will be attended by 3,000 teenagers from 31 countries, is to inspire a new generation of peacemakers to transform their local communities, themselves, and the world."

So let me get this straight, he supports peace, education, and provideds humanitarian relief through charity work? Sounds dangerous alright!
And he seems to have the support of another troublemaker, the Dalai Lama!

I feel a lot safer now, knowing that Homeland Security is protecting me from the dangers of those who would promote peace, love, and understanding!

Clearly, he's evil. He must be STOPPED!!!!!

Welcome to HP, Guy.

[Phalloidium]

Originally Posted by HappyFatChick

But Atlantic Records is proud to announce a new addition to their roster: Yusuf Islam Joins Atlantic Records.

http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/060907/0160855.html

W.T. F?????

Because public companies are obligated to put profit ahead of morals -- if not the shareholders can sue (at least in the States).

[isotope]

Originally Posted by HappyFatChick

Some of the public proof of his behavior is in my original post.

He supports Islam ("the religion of peace"). He financially supports radical Islam. He supports killing infidels. (Remember WE are infidels too.)

And now Americans are going to pay him to sing about it? I predict one big, whiney, "The U.S. done me wrong" song.

Actually, if anyone's going to make a "US done me wrong" song, it'll be the troops, katrina victims, the poor, the homosexuals, the censored media, victims of the patriot act, senior citizens and i dont know...most of America in general.

Also, before you make the assumption that American citizens are going to pay for his music, you have to assume that people actually like his music.

[TheMildlyStrangeone]

ohh baby baby, it's a wild world.

[JoyJoy]

If you look really closely, you can see the subliminal evil behind the man:

http://www.smallkindness.org/ (note the name of the chairman)

http://www.yusufislam.org.uk/education.htm

http://www.mountainoflight.co.uk/

"Today, Yusuf Islam is arguably one of the world's most famous converts to Islam. His pioneering work in the field of education resulted in securing a landmark decision by the British government to certify and support Islamic education throughout Great Britain. The three schools he founded in London’s Brent district – Islamia Primary, Islamia Girls' Secondary and the Brondesbury College for Boys – consistently top the borough’s examination league tables.

His U.N.-registered charity, Small Kindness, provides humanitarian relief, through direct aid as well as social and educational programs, to orphans and families in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and other regions of the world.
Since 1994 he has once again turned his attention to the recording studio, releasing ten albums to date under his Mountain of Light label. His Sarajevo concert in 1997, to celebrate Bosnian culture, was his first public appearance for 20 years. Recently he has contributed to a number of major charity concert events including Nelson Mandela's 46664 AIDS benefit concert at the close of 2003 in Cape Town where he coupled with Peter Gabriel and the Soweto Choir to perform Wild World, and also a fund-raising concert in Jakarta to aid the victims of the recent tsunami where he premiered a new song, Indian Ocean, inspired by the disaster.

In 2003 Yusuf Islam was awarded the 'World Social Award' for his humanitarian relief work. Previous recipients of this award include Pope John Paul II, Steven Spielberg, and Sir Paul McCartney.
In November 2004, he was honoured with the 'Man for Peace' award by a committee of Nobel peace laureates.

More recently, in November 2005, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Gloucestershire for services to education and humanitarian relief.
Yusuf Islam is currently working on a new album of spiritually inspiring songs as well as a stage musical based metaphorically on his spiritual journey."

Yup..he's a masked terrorist, alright.


I think someone is just really, really bored.