Posted on 09/01/2004 6:21:09 AM PDT by F14 Pilot
Interestingly, both his parents are Greek. There is no bigger anathema for their generation than a greek boy converting to islam.
"He ceased to be Cat Stevens and became Yusuf Islam."
Stevens was asked on a BBC TV interview what the Koran would say about blasphemy. He said that it wasn't his view and he was misquoted. Radio stations around the world banned his music after the statement. The dust would eventually die down and you can occasionally hear a Cat Stevens song on the radio now.
He was not widely heard from for another ten years, until he shocked admirers at the end of the '80s by supporting the death sentence ordered by the Ayatollah Khomeini against novelist Salman Rushdie for writing the book The Satanic Verses. Some "classic rock" radio stations discontinued playing him as a result, and 10,000 Maniacs, who had covered "Peace Train" on their In My Tribe album in 1987, had it removed from the record. He later claimed that he had been manipulated by the media, who were looking for a statement from a prominent British Muslim, but he did not disavow his statement.I'll bet the Jews were behind it -- they do control the media. From the Cat Stevens website, and in his own words:
My only crime was, I suppose, in being honest. I stood up and expressed my belief and I am in no way apologizing for it. I expressed the Islamic view based on the Qur'an, the Prophet's sayings (peace and blessings be upon him) and the rulings of the Caliphs and renowned schools of Islamic jurisprudence... If we can't get satisfaction within the present limits of the law, like a ban on this blasphemous book, 'Satanic Verses' which insults God and His prophets - including those prophets honoured by Christians, Jews as well as Muslims - this does not mean that we should step outside of the law to find redress. No. If Mrs. Thatcher and her Government are unwilling to listen to our pleas, if our demonstrations and peaceful lobbying don't work, then perhaps the only alternative is for Muslims to get more involved in the political process of this country. It seems to be the only way left for us... The present attitude of the Government and press is obviously as a result of their opposition to the Islamic legal ruling that Rushdie should be executed and the fact that it has come from an Islamic country. The fact is that as far as the application of Islamic Law and the implementation of full Islamic way of life in Britain is concerned, Muslims realize that there is very little chance of that happening in the near future. But that shouldn't stop us from trying to improve the situation and presenting the Islamic viewpoint wherever and whenever possible. That is the duty of ever Muslim and that is what I did.He mentions the Jews, and a different media reaction to another work. Cat Stevens wants Salman Rushdie dead.
The Hidden Hand:
Middle East Fears of Conspiracy
by Daniel Pipes
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