Posted on 03/15/2003 9:26:34 AM PST by sarcasm
Former folk-rock singer Yusuf Islam, better known as Cat Stevens, arrived in Johannesburg on Friday to record a song with local artists which will be broadcast as part of the entertainment community's efforts to stop the war in Iraq.
The song, Peace Train, was a hit in the 1970s when it was first recorded by Islam, who became Muslim in 1977. Islam, making a return to music after a 25-year absence, decided to re-record the song.
He said he chose South Africa for the recording of Peace Train because of its approach to conflict.
"South Africa has played a crucial role in reconciliation on the continent and further afield and the approach of the South African government in addressing conflict is a lesson many other countries should learn.
"The new release of Peace Train does not signify a recreation of Cat Stevens, but I believe that I have a role to play to help avert a humanitarian crisis and the words of the song speak for themselves."
The recording, which will also be filmed, will be made at the Market Theatre in Newtown by Islam and local artists.
Pascal Moloi, the Johannesburg metro municipality's city manager, welcomed Islam to the city.
"It is an honour that he has chosen Johannesburg to send his message of peace to the world. The inclusion of local artists in the recording is also welcomed.
"During the dark years of apartheid Newtown and the Market Theatre played a critical role in allowing freedom of expression and encouraging discussion and debate, and today we welcome the message that Yusuf Islam is sending to the world," said Moloi.
"All we are saying, is give a murderous, dictitourial regime a chance"
Charity record come-back for Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens was one of the biggest solo artists of the 1960s and 1970s after first making it into the limelight at the age of 19.
He penned songs including Matthew and Son and Moon Shadow...hmmmmm.
The singer abandoned music in 1977 when he turned to the Islamic faith after two years in Brazil as a tax exile.
He turned to teaching and founded a Muslim school in 1983. He is involved in the UK Islamic Education Waqf (UKIEW) which raises money to provide education in the UK in keeping with an Islamic way of life.
His only foray into the recording business since has been a spoken word CD of the teachings of the Islamic prophet Mohammed.
But since then he has re-evaluated his views on the music industry, a decision he discussed in an article in the Muslim magazine, Q News.
He wrote: "The issue, I realise now, is certainly not as cut and dried as it seemed when first presented to me in 1977 following the embrace of Islam."
The UK Islamic Education Waqf (UKIEW), registered UK charity (no. 1034122), raises money to provide funding for UK Muslims and schools to tackle the complex educational problems facing our community.
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Yup, a real paragon of Muslim virtue, that Yusuf. Ride on Peace Train.
Which one is he? I can't recognize him without the beard.
I've read much about Islam and Arab culture, and I completely fail to understand how any reasonably sane and educated person from the West could swallow the lies of the Koran, much less willfully convert to Islam.
I turn off the radio when a Cat Stevens song comes over it. May the world forget his name.
like murder, rape, and terrorism against whites.
like murder, rape, and terrorism against whites.
More like safely far from the action.
Might as well stand in front of a freight train.
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