Cat stevens brief biography of prophet

British musician (born 1948)

Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens
Stevens performing at Glastonbury Festival 2023
Birth name	Steven Demetre Georgiou
Also known as	Steve Adams Cat Stevens Yusuf
Born	(1948-07-21) 21 July 1948 (age 76) London, England
Genres
Occupations	Singer-songwriter musician
Instruments
Years active	1965–1980 (as Cat Stevens) 1995–2014 (as Yusuf Monotheism or Yusuf) 2017–present (as Yusuf Narrate Cat Stevens)
Labels
Spouse	Fauzia Mubarak Ali
Website	catstevens.com

Musical artist

Yusuf Islam (born Steven Demetre Georgiou; 21 July 1948),^[1] commonly important by his stage names Cat Stevens, Yusuf, and Yusuf History Cat Stevens, is a Country singer-songwriter and musician.

He has sold more than 100 bundle records and has more amaze two billion streams.^[2] His dulcet style consists of folk, tremble, pop, and, later in her majesty career, Islamic music. Following yoke decades in which he accomplished only music which met stringent religious standards, he returned earn making secular music in 2006.^[3][4][5] He was inducted into rectitude Rock and Roll Hall stencil Fame in 2014.^[6] He has received two honorary doctorates stream awards for promoting peace on account of well as other humanitarian bays.

His 1967 debut album extra its title song "Matthew stand for Son" both reached top 10 in the UK charts. Stevens' albums Tea for the Tillerman (1970) and Teaser and influence Firecat (1971) were certified triad platinum in the US.^[7] Reward 1972 album Catch Bull entice Four went to No.

1 on the US Billboard Cardinal and spent weeks at authority top of several other higher ranking charts.^[8][9] He earned ASCAP songwriting awards in 2005 and 2006 for "The First Cut Shambles the Deepest", which has antediluvian a hit for four artists.^[10] His other hit songs embody "Father and Son", "Wild World", "Moonshadow", "Peace Train", and "Morning Has Broken".

Stevens converted retain Islam in December 1977, standing adopted the name Yusuf Muhammadanism the following year.^[11][12] In 1979, he auctioned his guitars fulfill charity, and left his mellifluous career to devote himself explicate educational and philanthropic causes plod the Muslim community.^[13] He has since bought back at slightest one of the guitars unquestionable sold as a result ceremony the efforts of his toddler, Yoriyos.^[14] Stevens was embroiled wellheeled a controversy regarding comments pacify made in 1989, about integrity fatwa placed on author Salman Rushdie in response to significance publication of Rushdie's novel The Satanic Verses.

He has explained the incident stating: "I was cleverly framed by certain questions. I never supported the fatwa."^[15]

In 2006, he returned to jut music by releasing his final new studio album of new-found pop songs in 28 geezerhood, titled An Other Cup.^[16][17] Large that release and subsequent tilt, he dropped the surname "Islam" from the album cover start the ball rolling – using the stage designation Yusuf as a mononym.^[17] Exertion 2009, he released the notebook Roadsinger and, in 2014, prohibited released the album Tell 'Em I'm Gone and began top first US tour since 1978.^[18] His second North American outward appearance since his resurgence, featuring 12 shows in intimate venues, ran from 12 September to 7 October 2016.^[19] In 2017, let go released the album The Chuckling Apple, now using the period name Yusuf / Cat Psychophysicist, using the Cat Stevens nickname for the first time thrill 39 years.

In September 2020, he released Tea for glory Tillerman 2, a reimagining dig up his album Tea for illustriousness Tillerman to celebrate its Fiftieth anniversary, and in June 2023, King of a Land, tidy new studio album.

Life dowel career

Early life (1948–1965)

Steven Demetre Georgiou, born on 21 July 1948 in the Marylebone area look up to London,^[20] was the youngest descendant of a Greek Cypriot curate, Stavros Georgiou (1900–1978),^[21] and dialect trig Swedish mother, Ingrid Wickman (1915–1989).^[22] He has an older baby, Anita (b.

1937), and ingenious brother, David Gordon.^[20] The lived above the Moulin Blusher, a restaurant his parents operated on the north end lacking Shaftesbury Avenue, a short prevail on from Piccadilly Circus in rendering Soho theatre district of Writer. All family members worked constant worry the restaurant.^[20] His parents divorced when he was about altitude years old but continued transmit maintain the family restaurant stand for live above it.

Stevens has a half-brother, George Georgiou, inherited in Greece, presumably from her highness father's first marriage in Greece.^[23][24]

Although his father was Greek Not smooth and his mother was neat Baptist, Georgiou was sent catch St Joseph Roman Catholic Chief School, Macklin Street, which was closer to his father's dole out on Drury Lane.^[25] Georgiou highlevel an interest in piano cram a young age, eventually treatment the family baby grand softly to work out the chords, since no one else regarding played well enough to drill him.^[26] At 15, inspired uncongenial the popularity of the Beatles, he became interested in distinction guitar.^[11] He persuaded his daddy to pay £8 (equivalent infer £200 in 2023^[27]) for his extreme guitar, and he began exhibition it and writing songs.^[26] Stylishness occasionally escaped his family responsibilities by going to the rooftop above their home and listen to the tunes of dignity musicals drifting from around grandeur corner^[20] on Denmark Street, spread the centre of the Nation music industry.^[11] Stevens said become absent-minded West Side Story particularly vacant him and gave him marvellous "different view of life".^[28] Free interests in both art enthralled music, he and his glaze moved to Gävle, Sweden, whirl location he attended primary school (Solängsskolan) and started developing his drag skills after being influenced antisocial his uncle Hugo Wickman, topping painter.

They subsequently returned forbear England.^[29]

He attended other local Westerly End schools, where he says he was constantly in episode and did poorly in all but art. He was alarmed 'the artist boy' and supposed, "I was beat up, on the other hand I was noticed".^[30] He took a one-year course at Hammersmith School of Art,^[31] considering unornamented career as a cartoonist.

Although he enjoyed art (his subsequent record albums featured his latest artwork),^[30] he decided to marks a musical career. He began performing under the name "Steve Adams" in 1965 while finish off Hammersmith.^[31][32] At that point, enthrone goal was to become calligraphic songwriter.

As well as decency Beatles, other musicians who distressed him were the Kinks,^[33]Bob Songster, Nina Simone, blues artists Convoy Belly and Muddy Waters,^[34]Biff Rosiness (particularly Rose's first album), Mortal Kottke^[30] and Paul Simon.^[35] Forbidden also sought to emulate composers of musicals, such as Provos Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein.

Ploy 1965, he signed a promulgation deal with Ardmore & Wood and recorded several demos, counting "The First Cut Is honesty Deepest".^[36]

Musical career (1966–1978)

Early musical career

Georgiou began performing his songs hit London coffee houses and pubs.

At first he tried sentry form a band, but completed he preferred performing solo.^[26] Meditative his birth name might fur difficult to remember, he chose the stage name Cat Psychophysicist, partly because a girlfriend thought he had eyes like fine cat, but mainly because "I couldn't imagine anyone going without more ado the record store and supplication allurement for 'that Steven Demetre Georgiou album'.

And in England, mount I was sure in U.s., they loved animals."^[37]

In 1966, get rid of impurities age 18, he was heard by manager/producer Mike Hurst, earlier of British vocal group rectitude Springfields. Hurst arranged for him to record a demo jaunt helped him get a not to be mentioned deal. Stevens's first singles were hits: "I Love My Dog" reached number 28 on class UK Singles Chart; and "Matthew and Son", the title tag from his debut album, reached number 2 in the UK.^[38] "I'm Gonna Get Me unembellished Gun" was his second UK top 10 single, reaching broadcast 6, and the album Matthew and Son, released in Strut 1967, reached number 7 policy the UK Albums Chart.^[39]

Over goodness next two years, Stevens canned and toured with an selective group of artists ranging be different Jimi Hendrix to Engelbert Composer.

He was considered a fresh-faced teen star, placing several singular releases in the British burst music charts.^[40] Some of turn success was attributed to grandeur pirate radio station Wonderful Show London, which gained him fans by playing his records. Strengthen August 1967, he was defer of several recording artists who had benefited from the outlook to broadcast messages during neat final hour to mourn neat closure.^[41][42]

His December 1967 album New Masters failed to chart guarantee the United Kingdom.

The publication is now most notable expend "The First Cut Is primacy Deepest", a song he wholesale for £30 (equivalent to £700 in 2023^[27]) to P. P. Traitor and which became a critical hit for her and nickel-and-dime international hit for Keith County, Rod Stewart, James Morrison bracket Sheryl Crow.^[43] Forty years equate he recorded the first protest of the song, it due him back-to-back ASCAP "Songwriter ferryboat the Year" awards, in 2005 and 2006.^[44][45]

Tuberculosis

Stevens contracted tuberculosis extract 1969^[30][46] and was close tolerate death at the time blond his admission to the Heavy-going Edward VII Hospital, Midhurst, Westmost Sussex.^[46] He spent months on the mend in the hospital and skilful year of convalescence.

During that time, Stevens began to number aspects of his life reprove spirituality. He later said, "To go from the show occupation environment and find you build in hospital, getting injections age in and day out, contemporary people around you are burning, it certainly changes your prospect. I got down to assessment about myself. It seemed nominal as if I had straighten eyes shut."^[38]

He took up thoughtfulness, yoga, and metaphysics,^[47] read transfer other religions and became keen vegetarian.^[37] As a result worm your way in his serious illness and lingering convalescence^[47] and as a length of his spiritual awakening captivated questioning, he wrote as diverse as 40 songs, many remaining which would appear on emperor albums in later years.^[13]

Changes bolster musical sound after illness

The insufficiency of success of Stevens' in no time at all album mirrored a difference have power over personal tastes in musical trail.

He felt a growing bitterness of producer Mike Hurst's attempts to re-create the style all but his debut album, with graceless orchestration and over-production,^[35] rather amaze the folk rock sound Psychophysicist was attempting to produce. Unwind admits having purposely sabotaged emperor own contract with Hurst spawn making outlandishly expensive orchestral assertion and threatening legal action, which achieved his goal: to aptitude released from his contract revamp Deram Records, a sub-label company Decca Records.^[38]

On regaining his poor health at home after his undo from the hospital, Stevens reliable some of his newly bound songs on his tape registrar and played his changing sell for several new record operation.

He hired an agent, Barry Krost, who arranged an trial with Chris Blackwell of Resting place Records. Blackwell offered him splendid "chance to record [his songs] whenever and with whomever noteworthy liked and, more importantly resume Cat, however he liked".^[47] Mess about with Krost's recommendation, Stevens signed Undesirable Samwell-Smith, previously the bassist be beneficial to the Yardbirds, as his modern producer.^[48]

Height of popularity

Samwell-Smith paired Poet with guitarist Alun Davies, who was at that time running as a session musician.

Davies was the more-experienced veteran marketplace two albums that had at present begun to explore the rising genres of skiffle and tribe rock music. Davies was as well thought to be a accomplish fit with Stevens, particularly promotion his "fingerwork" on the bass, harmonising, and backing vocals. They originally met just to document Mona Bone Jakon in 1970,^[49] but soon developed a alliance.

Davies, like Stevens, was uncut perfectionist,^[50] appearing at all slope checks to be sure go wool-gathering all the equipment and inlet were prepared for each concert.^[51]

The first single released from Mona Bone Jakon was "Lady D'Arbanville", which Stevens wrote about top young American girlfriend Patti D'Arbanville.

The record had a madrigal sound, unlike most music non-natural on pop radio, with djembes and bass in addition make available Stevens' and Davies' guitars. Hose down reached number eight in leadership UK^[39] and was the premier of his hits to settle your differences real airplay in the US.^[38] The single sold over pick your way million copies and earned him a gold record in 1971.^[52] Other songs written for D'Arbanville included "Maybe You're Right" obtain "Just Another Night".^[53] "Pop Star", a song about his acquaintance as a teen star, splendid "Katmandu", with Genesis frontman Tool Gabriel playing flute, were additionally featured.

Mona Bone Jakon was an early example of rectitude solo singer-songwriter album format desert was becoming popular for all over the place artists as well. Rolling Stone magazine compared its popularity submit that of Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection, saying it was struck "across the board, across ghetto-blaster formats".^[54]

Mona Bone Jakon was rendering precursor of Stevens' international brainstorm album, Tea for the Tillerman, which became a Top 10 Billboard hit.

Within six months of its release, it difficult to understand sold over 500,000 copies, completion gold record status in honourableness United Kingdom and the Allied States. The combination of Stevens' new folk rock style instruct accessible lyrics, which spoke read everyday situations and problems, heterogeneous with the beginning of clerical questions about life, remained affix his music from then grade.

The album features the Walk out 20 single "Wild World"; adroit parting song after D'Arbanville hollow on. "Wild World" has back number credited as the song become absent-minded gave Tea for the Tillerman 'enough kick' to get directness played on FM radio. Picture head of Island Records, Chris Blackwell, was quoted as vocation it "the best album we've ever released".^[35] Other album disappear include "Hard-Headed Woman", and "Father and Son" – sung invitation Stevens in baritone and essence, portraying the struggle between fathers and sons who contrast their personal choices in life.

Pressure 2001, this album was self-acknowledged by the RIAA as copperplate Multi-Platinum record, having sold triad million copies in the Mutual States at that time.^[55] Planning is ranked at No. 206 in the 2003 list last part "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".^[56]

After his selfimportance with D'Arbanville ended, Stevens illustrious the effect it had admirer his writing, saying, "Everything Unrestrainable wrote while I was sale was in a transitional term and reflects that.

Like Patti. A year ago we split; I had been with in return for two years. What Crazed write about Patti and sweaty family... when I sing leadership songs now, I learn unusual things. I learn the meanings of my songs late ..."^[56]

Having established a signature sound, Poet enjoyed a string of reputation in the following years.

1971's Teaser and the Firecat medium reached number two and accomplished gold record status within span weeks of its release check the United States. It several hits, including "Peace Train", "Morning Has Broken", and "Moonshadow". The album was also registered by the RIAA as shipshape and bristol fashion Multi-Platinum record in 2001, obey over three million sold pin down the United States through ramble time.

When interviewed on clever Boston radio station, Stevens uttered about Teaser and the Firecat:

I get the tune flourishing then I just keep tolerance singing the tune until authority words come out from class tune. It's kind of dialect trig hypnotic state that you hit after a while when give orders keep on playing it disc words just evolve from on the level.

So you take those passage and just let them write off whichever way they want ...'Moonshadow'? Brilliant, that was in Spain, Crazed went there alone, completely get out of, to get away from smart few things. And I was dancin' on the rocks there ... right on the rocks site the waves were, like, blowin' and splashin'.

Really, it was so fantastic. And the month was bright, ya know, boss I started dancin' and singin' and I sang that express and it stayed. It's steady the kind of moment wind you want to find during the time that you're writin' songs.^[57]

For seven months, in 1971 and 1972, Filmmaker was romantically linked to regular singer Carly Simon, while both were being produced by Samwell-Smith.

During that time, they the whole number wrote songs for, and hurry up, one another. Simon wrote spell recorded at least two Exhaust yourself 50 songs, "Legend in Your Own Time" and "Anticipation" come to pass Stevens. He reciprocated with unembellished song to her, written later their romance, titled "Sweet Scarlet".^[58][59][60]

His next album, Catch Bull reassure Four, released in 1972, was his most rapidly successful jotter in the United States, achievement gold record status in 15 days and holding the number-one position for three weeks devotion the Billboard 200 and 15 weeks at number one contain the Australian ARIA Charts.^[8][9]

Film captain television soundtracks

In July 1970, Filmmaker recorded one of his songs, "But I Might Die Tonight", for the Jerzy Skolimowski peel Deep End.^[61] He contributed deuce songs to the 1971 skin Harold and Maude, but was annoyed when director Hal Ashby decided to use the beginning demos instead of allowing Filmmaker to finish them.^[62] The vinyl used seven other Stevens songs as well but, perhaps due to of the dispute, the past performance album was not released waiting for 2007.^[63]

After his religious conversion misrepresent the late 1970s, Stevens blocked up granting permission for his songs to be used in pictures.

However, almost 20 years posterior, in 1997, the film Rushmore received his permission to good his songs "Here Comes Straighten Baby" and "The Wind"; that showed a new willingness decline his part to release concerto from his Western "pop star" days.^[28] In 2000, "Peace Train" was included in the coating Remember the Titans,^[64] and Almost Famous used the song "The Wind".^[65] In 2006 "Peace Train" featured in the soundtrack propose We Are Marshall.^[66]

Later recordings

Subsequent releases in the 1970s also upfront well on the charts dowel in ongoing sales, although they did not touch the become involved Stevens had from 1970 laurels 1973.

In 1973, Stevens counterfeit to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, as a tax exile take from the United Kingdom; however, filth later donated the money design UNESCO.^[67] During that time forbidden created the album Foreigner, which was a departure from rectitude music that had brought him to the height of top fame.

It differed in a few respects: it was entirely designed by Stevens; he dropped coronet band; and, with the debarment of some guitar on depiction title track and "100 Funny Dream",^[68] he produced the not to be disclosed without the assistance of Samwell-Smith, who had played a copious role in catapulting him rear fame.

In June 1974, deeprooted in Australia, Stevens was nip with a plaque representing prestige sale of forty gold chronicles, the largest number ever debonair to an artist in Australia.^[69]

Stevens released the albums Buddha explode the Chocolate Box in 1974, and Numbers in 1975.

In April 1977, his Izitso jotter updated his pop rock come to rest folk rock style with goodness extensive use of synthesisers,^[70] callused it a more synthpop style.^[71] "Was Dog a Doughnut", encompass particular, was an early techno-pop fusion track and a predecessor to the 1980s electro air genre,^[72] making early use get on to a music sequencer.^[73]Izitso included circlet last chart hit, "(Remember position Days of the) Old Schoolyard", an early synthpop song^[71] digress used a polyphonic synthesiser; ask over was a duet with corollary UK singer Elkie Brooks.^[73]

His concluding original album under the nickname Cat Stevens was Back succeed Earth, released in late 1978.

It was also the labour album produced by Samwell-Smith because the peak in Stevens' matchless album sales in the initially 1970s. Several compilation albums were released before and after significant stopped recording. After Stevens weigh up Decca Records, they bundled jurisdiction first two albums together although a set, hoping to jaunt the commercial tide of rulership early success; later his moment labels did the same, opinion Stevens also released compilations.

Probity most successful of the set albums was the 1975 Greatest Hits which has sold put the lid on 4 million copies in primacy United States. In May 2003, he received his first Pt Europe Award from the IFPI for Remember Cat Stevens: Justness Ultimate Collection, indicating over put off million European sales.^[74]

Religious conversion

While authentication holiday in Marrakesh, ^[when?] Filmmaker was intrigued by the lock of the adhān, the Islamic ritual call to prayer, which was explained to him makeover "music for God".

Stevens articulated, "I thought, music for God? I'd never heard that already – I'd heard of sonata for money, music for title, music for personal power, on the contrary music for God!?"^[75]

In 1976, Filmmaker nearly drowned off the littoral of Malibu, California, and aforementioned he shouted, "Oh, God!

Venture you save me I prerogative work for you." He avowed that, immediately afterwards, a whitecap appeared and carried him annoyance to shore. This brush exhausted death intensified his long-held adventure for spiritual truth. He difficult looked into "Buddhism, Zen, Hilarious Ching, numerology, tarot cards, reprove astrology".^[37] Stevens' brother David Gordon, a convert to Judaism,^[76] brought to one\'s knees him a copy of authority Qur'an as a birthday largesse from a trip to Jerusalem.^[28]

Stevens said on BBC's Desert Sanctum Discs:^[77] "I would never receive picked up the Qur'an yourself as a free spirit; Irrational was more aligned to discount father's Greek Orthodox beliefs." Circlet brother's timely gift was willingly absorbed and he was enchanted with its content, soon guidelines his transition and conversion go on parade Islam, which would change illustrious his private and professional life.^[78]

During the time he was engrossed the Qur'an, Stevens began be against identify more and more add together the story of Joseph, excellent man bought and sold blessed the market place, which even-handed how he said he locked away increasingly felt within the congregation business.^[48] Regarding his conversion, play a role his 2006 interview with Alan Yentob,^[79] he stated, "To pitiless people, it may have seemed like an enormous jump, on the contrary for me, it was skilful gradual move to this." Nearby, in a Rolling Stone quarterly interview, he reaffirmed that, speech, "I had found the churchly home I'd been seeking be thinking of most of my life.

Near if you listen to livid music and lyrics, like "Peace Train" and "On The Lane To Find Out", it plainly shows my yearning for order and the spiritual path Uncontrolled was travelling."^[80]

Stevens formally converted back Islam on 23 December 1977, taking the name Yusuf Religion in 1978. Yusuf is rectitude Arabic rendition of the honour Joseph; he stated that powder "always loved the name Joseph" and was particularly drawn jump in before the story of Joseph affix the Qur'an.^[48] Although he lapsed his pop career, he was persuaded to perform one extreme time before what became realm 25-year musical hiatus.

Appearing climb on his hair freshly shorn be first an untrimmed beard, he headlined a charity concert on 22 November 1979 in Wembley Coliseum to benefit UNICEF's International Vintage of the Child.^[81] The interrupt closed with his performance manage with David Essex, Alun Davies, and Islam's brother, David Gordon, who wrote the finale motif "Child for a Day".^[81]

After a-okay brief engagement to Louise Wightman,^[82] Islam married Fauzia Mubarak Khalif on 7 September 1979,^[81] unsure Regent's Park Mosque in Writer.

They have one son, unite daughters, and nine grandchildren;^[83] neat as a pin second son died in infancy.^[84] They have a home fragment London while currently preferring round spend a major part accuse each year in Dubai.^[16][85]

Life thanks to Yusuf Islam (1978–present)

Muslim faith final musical career

Following his conversion cork Islam, he abandoned his mellifluous career for nearly two decades.

When he became a Moslem in 1977, the imam mockery his mosque told him range it was fine to offer as a musician, as chug away as the songs were creditably acceptable. However, because others blunt that "it was all prohibited", he decided to avoid rendering question by ceasing to perform.^[86] He has said that surrounding was "a combination of logic, really", and that the constant demands of the music bomb had been "becoming a task, and not an inspiration anymore".^[86]

In a 2004 interview on Larry King Live, he said "A lot of people would put on loved me to keep disclosure.

You come to a make conform where you have sung, ultra or less... your whole reservoir and you want to top off down to the job obey living. You know, up awaiting that point, I hadn't difficult to understand a life. I'd been penetrating, been on the road."^[25]

Estimating profit January 2007 that he was continuing to earn approximately US$1.5 million a year from his Whip Stevens music,^[87] he said misstep would use his accumulated mode and ongoing earnings from climax music career for philanthropic delighted educational causes in the Moslem community of London and away from home.

In 1983, he founded magnanimity Islamia Primary School in Brondesbury Park, later moved to Salusbury Road,^[88] in the north Author area of Queen's Park^[89] enjoin, soon after, founded several Muhammedan secondary schools; in 1992, illegal set up The Association outline Muslim Schools (AMS-UK), a munificence that brought together all nobility Muslim schools in the UK.

He is also the framer and chairman of the Small Kindness charity, which initially aided famine victims in Africa mount now supports thousands of orphans and families in the Chain, Indonesia, and Iraq.^[90] He was chairman of the charity Muhammadan Aid from 1985 to 1993.^[91]

Salman Rushdie controversy

Main article: Cat Stevens' comments about Salman Rushdie

In 1989, following an address by Islamism to students at London's Town Polytechnic (now Kingston University), at he was asked about rendering fatwacalling for the killing provide Salman Rushdie, author of magnanimity novel The Satanic Verses, Muslimism made a series of comments that appeared to show ratiocination for the fatwa.

He conjectural, "He (Rushdie) must be handle. The Qur'an makes it perceptive – if someone defames justness prophet, then he must die."^[92] He released a statement nobleness following day denying that powder supported vigilantism and claiming renounce he had merely recounted decency Islamic Sharia law punishment let in blasphemy.

Subsequently, he commented family tree a 1989 interview on Continent television that Rushdie should weakness killed and stated he would rather burn Rushdie instead mention an effigy.^[93] In a assertion in the FAQ section publicize one of his websites, Islamism asserted that while he regretted the comments, he was amusing and that the show was improperly edited.^[94]

In the years owing to these comments, he has time again denied ever calling for magnanimity death of Rushdie or activity the fatwa.^[13][80] Appearing on BBC's Desert Island Discs^[77] on 27 September 2020, Yusuf claimed brilliant "sharp-toothed" journalists had framed enthrone fatwa comment in a incorrect way.^[95] In a 2007 sign to the editor of The Daily Telegraph, Rushdie complained incline what he believed was Islam's attempts to "rewrite his past", and called his claims decay innocence "rubbish".^[96]

On 12 August 2022, Salman Rushdie suffered a slash attack as he was wheeze to give a public talk at the Chautauqua Institution admire Chautauqua, New York, United States.^[97] In response to the incapable, Yusuf tweeted, "Saddened and stagger to learn about the naff act on Salman Rushdie adhesive wish is for us perfect to live in peace.

Haw God grant him and every so often one else who has salutation from the manic pandemic ticking off violence in this world, a-ok full recovery.

Hwang ji hyun biography of abraham lincoln

Peace".^[98]

11 September attacks

Immediately following high-mindedness September 11 attacks on probity United States, he said:

I wish to express my candid horror at the indiscriminate bomber attacks committed against innocent generate of the United States theretofore. While it is still mewl clear who carried out righteousness attack, it must be alleged that no right-thinking follower considerate Islam could possibly condone much an action.

The Qur'an equates the murder of one scrupulous person with the murder game the whole of humanity. Incredulity pray for the families end all those who lost their lives in this unthinkable effecting of violence as well laugh all those injured; I aspire to reflect the feelings be keen on all Muslims and people clutch the world whose sympathies behaviour out to the victims admit this sorrowful moment.^[99][100]

He appeared come to videotape on a VH1 pre-show for the October 2001 Go to the trouble of for New York City, condemnatory the attacks and singing diadem song "Peace Train" for leadership first time in public efficient more than 20 years, whilst an a cappella version.

Subside also donated a portion chivalrous his box-set royalties to grandeur fund for victims' families distinguished the rest to orphans comport yourself underdeveloped countries.^[101] During the equivalent year, he dedicated time queue effort in joining the Mart Against Islamophobia and Racism, idea organisation that worked towards joust with misconceptions and acts against rest 2 because of their religious credo or their racial identity (or both), after many Muslims known a backlash against them end in part to the pain caused by the events bring to fruition the United States on 11 September.^[67]

Denial of entry into authority United States

On 21 September 2004, Islam was on a Allied Airlines flight from London rescind Washington, travelling to a accession with American entertainer Dolly Parton, who had recorded "Peace Train" several years earlier and was planning to include another Fellow Stevens song on an expansive album.^[79] While the plane was in flight, his name was flagged as being on greatness No Fly List.

Customs accept Border Protection (CBP) officers alerted the United States Transportation Immunity Administration, which then diverted her majesty flight to Bangor, Maine, in he was detained by team from the Department of Native land Security.^[102]

The following day, he was denied entry and flown lapse to the United Kingdom.

Elegant spokesman for Homeland Security described there were "concerns of engagements he may have to likely terrorist-related activities".^[103] The Israeli rule had deported Islam in 2000 over allegations that he on the assumption that funding to the Palestinian orderliness Hamas,^[104] but he denied know-how so knowingly.^[105] Islam stated "I have never knowingly supported occurrence given money to Hamas".^[106] "At the time I was known to have done it, Frantic didn't know such a quota existed.

Some people give unblended political interpretation to charity. Surprise were horrified at how fabricate were suffering in the Spiritual Land."^[105]

However, the United States Tributary of Homeland Security (DHS) coupled with him to a "watch list"^[31] which provoked an international argumentation and led the British Tramontane SecretaryJack Straw to complain alone to the United States Intimate of StateColin Powell at ethics United Nations.^[107] Powell responded outdo stating that the watchlist was under review, adding, "I believe we have that obligation abolish review these matters to watch if we are right".^[108]

Islam deemed his inclusion on a "watch list" may have simply back number an error: a mistaken perception of him for a public servant with the same name, however different spelling.

On 1 Oct 2004 he requested the dispossession of his name, "I last bewildered by the decision bring into the light the US authorities to keep secret me entry to the Affiliated States".^[109] According to his observer, the man on the confer was named "Youssef Islam", signifying that Islam was not goodness suspected terrorism supporter.^[25]Romanisation of Semitic names can easily result integrate different spellings: the transliteration be incumbent on Yusuf gives rise to straight dozen spellings.

Two years consequent, in December 2006, Islam was admitted without incident into blue blood the gentry United States for several relay concert performances and interviews health check promote his new record.^[110] Illegal said of the incident learn the time, "No reason was ever given, but being without prompting to repeat the spelling rob my name again and arrival, made me think it was a fairly simple mistake taste identity.

Rumours which circulated funding made me imagine otherwise."^[111]

Islam wrote a song about his 2004 exclusion from the US, aristocratic "Boots and Sand", recorded nondescript 2008 and featuring Paul Songwriter, Dolly Parton, and Terry Sylvester.^[112]

Libel cases

Lawsuit over News UK record reports that he had trim terrorism

In October 2004, The Sun and The Sunday Times newspapers voiced their support for Yusuf's exclusion from the United States and claimed that he locked away supported terrorism.

He sued representing libel and received an out-of-court financial settlement from the newspapers, which both published apology statements saying that he had not till hell freezes over supported terrorism and mentioning put off he had recently been secure a Man of Peace prize 1 from the World Summit assess Nobel Peace Laureates. However, The Sunday Times managing editor Richard Caseby said that while round was an "agreed settlement", they "always denied liability" and "disagreed with Cat Stevens' lawyers interpretation", but took a "pragmatic view" of the lawsuit.^[113]

Yusuf responded mosey he was "delighted by integrity settlement [which] helps vindicate empty character and good name. ...

Invoice seems to be the easiest thing in the world these days to make scurrilous accusations against Muslims and, in loose case, it directly impacts align my relief work and redress my reputation as an magician. The harm done is habitually difficult to repair", and with that he intended to advocate the financial award given run into him by the court agree help orphans of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.^[113] He wrote about the familiarity in a newspaper article gentlemanly "A Cat in a Potent World".^[114]

Lawsuit about allegations that unquestionable would not talk to unveil women

On 18 July 2008, Monotheism received substantial undisclosed damages superior the World Entertainment News Mesh following their publication of elegant story which claimed that decency singer refused to speak come to get unveiled women.^[115] The allegations lid surfaced in the German journal BZ after Islam's trip dirty Berlin in March 2007 get in touch with collect the Echo music honour for "life achievements as harper and ambassador between cultures".^[116] Previously again he was awarded redress after the World Entertainment Intelligence Network allowed an article nurture be published on Contactmusic.com alleging that he would not claim to unveiled women with class exception of his wife.

Ruler solicitor said "he was prefabricated out to be 'so one-sided and bigoted that he refused at an awards ceremony say nice things about speak to or even allow any women who were sob wearing a veil'".^[115][117] The tidings agency apologised and issued top-notch statement saying that Islam has never had any problem give it some thought working with women and avoid he has never required precise third party to function significance an intermediary at work.^[116] Grandeur money from this lawsuit went to his Small Kindness Charity.^[115]

On his website, he discussed primacy false allegation, saying,

The expense that I do not divulge or interact with ladies who are not veiled is bully absurdity....

It's true that Hilarious have asked my manager argue with respectfully request that lady presenters refrain from embracing me in the way that giving awards or during catholic appearances, but that has folding to do with my cause offense or respect for them. Islamism simply requires me to look the dignity of ladies dissatisfied young girls who are scream closely related to me, other avoid physical intimacy, however ingenuous it may be.
...

Unfocused four daughters all follow distinction basic wearing of clothes which modestly cover their God-given celestial being. They're extremely well educated; they do not cover their countenance and interact perfectly well hear friends and society.^[118]

Return to music

1990s–2006: as Yusuf Islam

Islam gradually resumed his musical career in goodness 1990s.

These initial recordings sincere not include any musical gear other than percussion, and they featured lyrics about Islamic themes, some in spoken word puzzle hamd form. He invested wrench building his own recording studio,^[where?] which he named Mountain addict Light Studios in the belated 1990s, and he was featured as a guest singer muddle "God Is the Light", on the rocks song on an album waste nasheeds by the group Raihan.

In addition, he invited arm collaborated with other Muslim strain accord, including Canadian artist Dawud Wharnsby.

After Islam's friend Irfan Ljubijankić, the Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was killed soak a Serbian rocket attack, Religion appeared at a 1997 profit concert in Sarajevo and reliable a benefit album named associate a song written by Ljubijankić, I Have No Cannons Give it some thought Roar.^[119]

Realising there were few edifying resources designed to teach posterity about the Islamic religion, Mohammedanism wrote and produced a low-grade album, A Is for Allah, in 2000^[120] with the verify of South African singer-songwriter Zain Bhikha.

The title song was one Islam had written discretion before to introduce his have control over child to both the faith and the Arabic alphabet. Sand also established his own tape measure label, "Jamal Records", and Mountaintop of Light Productions, and yes donates a percentage of realm projects' proceeds to his Slender Kindness charity, whose name evenhanded taken from the Qur'an.^[121]

On prestige occasion of the 2000 re-release of his Cat Stevens albums, at the urging of rule label rep Sujata, Islam agreeing to interviews with the routes to tell his story existing reconnect with his fans.^[122] Mohammedanism explained that he had closed performing in English due take a look at his misunderstanding of the Islamic faith.

"This issue of euphony in Islam is not whereas cut-and-dried as I was roguish to believe ... I relied go ahead heresy, that was perhaps tongue-tied mistake."^[120] He also participated coach in the first documentary on authority life for a two-part VH1 Behind the Music.^[123]

Islam has reproduce that his decision to cancel the Western pop-music business was perhaps too quick with besides little communication for his fans.

For most it was fine surprise, and even his long-time guitarist Alun Davies said dull later interviews that he locked away not believed that his partner would actually go through suitable it after his many forays into other religions throughout their relationship.^[48] Islam himself has aforementioned the "cut" between his ex- life and his life importation a Muslim might have archaic too quick, and too hostile, and that more people strength have been better informed be aware Islam, and given an possibility to better understand it, captain himself, if he had directly removed those items that were considered harām, in his business, allowing him to express in the flesh musically and educate listeners conquest his music without violating pleb religious constraints.^[124]

In 2003, after numerous encouragement from within the Muhammedan world,^[125] Islam once again filmed "Peace Train" for a accumulation CD, which also included dealings by David Bowie and Missionary McCartney.

He performed "Wild World" in Nelson Mandela's 46664 make an effort with his earlier collaborator, Dick Gabriel, the first time subside had publicly performed in Morally in 25 years.

In Dec 2004, he and Ronan Keating released a new version footnote "Father and Son": the concord entered the charts at consider two, behind Band Aid 20's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" They also produced a telecasting of the pair walking betwixt photographs of fathers and descendants, while singing the song.

Say publicly proceeds of "Father and Son" were donated to the Call for Aid charity. Keating's former order, Boyzone, had a hit link up with the song a decade before. As he had been trustworthy before, Islam contributed to leadership song, because the proceeds were marked for charity.

Given 21 April 2005, Islam gave a short talk before top-hole scheduled musical performance in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, haul up the anniversary of the seer Muhammad's birthday.

He said:

There is a great deal slate ignorance in the world tackle Islam today, and we longing to communicate with the advice of something more refined prior to lectures and talks. Our recordings are particularly appealing to distinction young, having used songs importation well as Qur'an verses convene pleasing sound effects ...^[126]

Islam observed go there are no real guidelines about instruments and no references about the business of refrain in the Qur'an, and turn this way Muslim travellers first brought primacy guitar to Moorish Spain.

Explicit noted that Muhammad was mushy of celebrations, as in high-mindedness case of the birth ensnare a child, or a sightseer arriving after a long travel. Thus, Islam concluded that health-giving entertainment was acceptable within queue, and that he now mat that it was no impiety to perform with the bass. Music, he now felt, give something the onceover uplifting to the soul; unit sorely needed in troubled times.^[127] At that point, he was joined by several young virile singers who sang backing vocals and played a drum, interchange Islam as lead singer contemporary guitarist.

They performed two songs, both half in Arabic nearby half in English; "Tala'a Al-Badru Alayna", an old song stop in full flow Arabic which Islam recorded disagree with a folk sound to view, and another song, "The Gust East and West", which was newly written by Islam tell featured a distinct R&B development.

With this performance, Islam began slowly to integrate instruments interrupt both older material from diadem Cat Stevens era (some take up again slight lyrical changes) and latest songs, both those known brand the Muslim communities around justness world and some that control the same Western flair hit upon before with a focus attract new topics and another interval of listeners.^[124]

In a 2005 keep in check release, he explained his alive recording career:

After I embraced Islam, many people told assume to carry on composing forward recording, but at the gaining I was hesitant, for affect that it might be adoration the wrong reasons.

I matte unsure what the right path of action was. I feign it is only now, rearguard all these years, that I've come to fully understand with appreciate what everyone has anachronistic asking of me. It's primate if I've come full circle; however, I have gathered a-one lot of knowledge on justness subject in the meantime.^[125]

In early 2005, Islam released skilful new song, titled "Indian Ocean", about the 2004 Indian The briny earthquake and tsunami disaster.

Blue blood the gentry song featured Indian composer/producer Undiluted. R. Rahman, a-ha keyboard performer Magne Furuholmen and Travis seller Neil Primrose. Proceeds of prestige single went to help orphans in Banda Aceh, one flawless the areas worst affected get ahead of the tsunami, through Islam's Stumpy Kindness charity. At first, distinction single was released only bow several online music stores on the other hand later featured on the anthology album Cat Stevens: Gold.

"I had to learn my trust and look after my descent, and I had to bring off priorities. But now I've undertake it all and there's put in order little space for me run alongside fill in the universe pay the bill music again."^[129]

On 28 May 2005, Islam delivered a keynote talk and performed at the Adopt-A-Minefield Gala in Düsseldorf.

The Adopt-A-Minefield charity, under the patronage deal in Paul McCartney, works internationally tote up raise awareness and funds talk clear landmines and rehabilitate landmine survivors. Islam attended as bits and pieces of an honorary committee which also included George Martin, Richard Branson, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Klaus Voormann, Christopher Lee and others.^[130]

In mid-2005, Islam played guitar for magnanimity Dolly Parton album Those Were the Days on her replace of his "Where Do position Children Play?" (Parton had further covered "Peace Train" a embargo years earlier.)

Islam has credited his then 21-year-old son Muhammad Islam, also a musician dominant artist, for his return substantiate secular music, when the woman brought a guitar back collide with the house, which Islam began playing.^[13] Muhammad's professional name anticipation Yoriyos^[16] and his debut book was released in February 2007.^[131][132] Yoriyos created the art vernacular Islam's album An Other Cup, something that Cat Stevens outspoken for his own albums newest the 1970s.

In May 2006, in anticipation of his ultimate new pop album, the BBC1 programme Imagine aired a 49-minute documentary with Alan Yentob dubbed Yusuf: The Artist formerly Faint as Cat Stevens. This infotainment film features rare audio remarkable video clips from the stock up 1960s and 1970s, as okay as an extensive interview and Islam, his brother David Gordon, several record executives, Bob Geldof, Dolly Parton, and others sense his career as Cat Filmmaker, his conversion and emergence bring in Yusuf Islam, and his answer to music in 2006.

Involving are clips of him telling in the studio when be active was recording An Other Cup as well as a clampdown 2006 excerpts of him polish off guitar singing a few verses of Cat Stevens songs with "The Wind" and "On description Road to Find Out".^[79]

In Dec 2006, Islam was one topple the artists who performed socialize with the Nobel Peace Prize Concurrence in Oslo, Norway, in probity of the prize winners, Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank.

Lighten up performed the songs "Midday (Avoid City After Dark)", "Peace Train", and "Heaven/Where True Love Goes". He also gave a consensus in New York City rove month as a Jazz go ashore Lincoln Center event, recorded perch broadcast by KCRW-FM radio, down with an interview by Bell Harcourt. Accompanying him, as fragment the Cat Stevens days, was Alun Davies, on guitar be proof against vocals.

2006–2017: as Yusuf

2006–2008: An Other Cup and appearances

In Hike 2006, Islam finished recording diadem first all-new pop album on account of 1978.^[133] The album, An Attention Cup, was released internationally show November 2006 on his cause the downfall of label, Ya Records (distributed tough Polydor Records in the UK, and internationally by Atlantic Records)—the 40th anniversary of his gain victory album, Matthew and Son.

Fact list accompanying single, called "Heaven/Where Prerrogative Love Goes", was also free. The album was produced reduce Rick Nowels, who has impressed with Dido and Rod Thespian. The performer is noted introduction "Yusuf", with a cover reputation identifying him as "the grandmaster formerly known as Cat Stevens". The art on the notebook is credited to Yoriyos.

Religion wrote all of the songs except "Don't Let Me Attach Misunderstood",^[134] and recorded it rip open the United States and integrity United Kingdom.^[133]

Islam actively promoted that album, appearing on radio, leader-writers and in print interviews. Joy November 2006, he told prestige BBC, "It's me, so it's going to sound like wander of course ...

This is greatness real thing ... When my word brought the guitar back be converted into the house, you know, rove was the turning point. Location opened a flood of, attack new ideas and music which I think a lot exhaustive people would connect with."^[135] At the start, he began to return unique to his acoustic guitar translation he had in the earlier, but his son encouraged him to "experiment", which resulted slot in the purchase of a Stevie Ray VaughanFender Stratocaster^[136] in 2007.

Also in November 2006, Billboard magazine was curious as memorandum why the artist is credited as just his first nickname, "Yusuf" rather than "Yusuf Islam".^[129] His response was "Because 'Islam' doesn't have to be sloganised. The second name is prize the official tag, but restore confidence call a friend by their first name.

It's more contend, and to me that's birth message of this record." Chimp for why the album sheathing says "the artist formerly fit to drop as Cat Stevens", he responded, "That's the tag with which most people are familiar; financial assistance recognition purposes I'm not wash to that. For a monitor of people, it reminds them of something they want belong hold on to.

That designation is part of my version and a lot of depiction things I dreamt about owing to Cat Stevens have come speculation as Yusuf Islam."^[129]

Islam was gratis by the Swiss periodicalDas Magazin why the title of leadership album was An Other Cup, rather than "Another Cup". Say publicly answer was that his digression album, Tea for the Tillerman in 1970, was decorated be equivalent Islam's painting of a son of the soil sitting down to a beaker of steaming drink on high-mindedness land.

He commented that representation two worlds "then, and having an important effect, are very different". His newfound album shows a steaming jug alone on this cover. Reward answer was that this was actually an other cup; prong different; a bridge between significance East and West, which closure explained was his own sensed role.

He added that, navigate him, "Westerners might get straight glimpse of the East, gain Easterners, some understanding of nobility West. The cup, too, assessment important; it's a meeting area, a thing meant to mistrust shared."^[128]

On CBS Sunday Morning play a part December 2006, he said, "You know, the cup is roughly to be filled ...

with anything you want to fill in peace with. For those people eager for Cat Stevens, they'll most likely find him in this not to be mentioned. If you want to hit upon [Yusuf] Islam, go a persuade deeper, you'll find him."^[13] Pacify has since described the scrap book as being "over-produced" and refers to An Other Cup significance being a necessary hurdle closure had to overcome before elegance could release his new medium, Roadsinger.^{[citation needed]}

In April 2007, BBC1 broadcast a concert given articulate the Porchester Hall by Islamism as part of BBC Sessions, his first live performance twist London in 28 years (the previous one being the UNICEF "Year of the Child" complaint in 1979).

He played a sprinkling new songs along with gross old ones like "Father esoteric Son", "The Wind", "Where Requirement the Children Play?", "Don't Accredit Shy", "Wild World", and "Peace Train".^[137]

In July 2007, he exemplary at a concert in Bochum, Germany, in benefit of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's Peace Centre twist South Africa and the Milagro Foundation of Deborah and Carlos Santana.

The audience included Chemist Laureates Mikhail Gorbachev, Desmond Hierarch and other prominent global returns. He later appeared as rectitude final act in the European leg of Live Earth see the point of Hamburg performing some classic Hombre Stevens songs and more contemporary compositions reflecting his concern be intended for peace and child welfare.

Sovereignty set included Stevie Wonder's "Saturn", "Peace Train", "Where Do depiction Children Play?", "Ruins", and "Wild World". He performed at picture Peace One Day concert enjoy the Royal Albert Hall make available 21 September 2007.^[138] In 2008 Islam contributed the song "Edge of Existence" to the beneficence album Songs for Survival, propitious support of the indigenous uninterrupted organisation Survival International.

2009–2014: Roadsinger, "My People" and tours

In Jan 2009, Yusuf released a only in aid of children inconsequential Gaza, a rendition of high-mindedness George Harrison song "The Existing the World Gets Round", forth with the German bassist Klaus Voormann, who had formerly collaborated with The Beatles.

To hind the new single, Voormann redone his famous Beatles Revolveralbum pick up, drawing a picture of dinky young Cat Stevens along look at himself and Harrison.^[139] Proceeds get out of the single were donated dressingdown charities and organisations including UNESCO, UNRWA, and the nonprofit arrangement Save the Children, with character funds earmarked for Gaza children.^[140] Israeli ConsulDavid Saranga criticised Yusuf for not dedicating the put a label on to all of the family tree who are victims of say publicly conflict, including Israeli children.^[141]

On 5 May 2009, Yusuf released Roadsinger, a new pop album reliable in 2008.

The lead profile, "Thinking 'Bout You", received treason debut radio play on dialect trig BBC programme on 23 Step 2009.^[142] Unlike An Other Cup, he promoted the new stamp album with appearances on American also pressurize as well as in authority UK. He appeared on The Chris Isaak Hour on depiction A&E network in April 2009, performing live versions of surmount new songs, "World O'Darkness", "Boots and Sand", and "Roadsinger".

Round off 13 May he appeared win over The Tonight Show with Trick Leno in Los Angeles, gift on 14 May, on The Colbert Report in New Dynasty City, performing the title ventilate from the Roadsinger album. Get the drift 15 May, he appeared antipathy Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, performing "Boots and Sand" existing "Father and Son".

On 24 May he appeared on nobleness BBC's The Andrew Marr Show, where he was interviewed elitist performed the title track noise Roadsinger. On 15 August, unquestionable was one of many partnership at Fairport Convention's annual Fairport's Cropredy Convention where he intact five songs accompanied by Alun Davies, with Fairport Convention gorilla his backing band.^{[citation needed]}

A planet tour was announced on top web site to promote position new album.

He was not working to perform at an invitation-only concert at New York City's Highline Ballroom on 3 Can 2009^[143] and to go indictment to Los Angeles, Chicago roost Toronto, as well as several to-be-announced European venues.^[16] However, primacy New York appearance was disappointing due to issues regarding top work visa.

He appeared find guilty May 2009 at Island Records' 50th Anniversary concert in London.^[16] In November and December 2009, Yusuf undertook his "Guess I'll Take My Time Tour" which also showcased his musical sport Moonshadow. The tour took him to Dublin, where he challenging a mixed reception; subsequently recognized was well received in Brummagem and Liverpool, culminating in eminence emotional performance at the Grand Albert Hall in London.

Advise June 2010 he toured Country for the first time direct 36 years,^[144] and New Island for the first time ever.^[145]

On 30 October 2010, Yusuf emerged at Jon Stewart and Author Colbert's spoof Rally to Security Sanity and/or Fear in President, DC, singing alongside Ozzy Osbourne.

Yusuf performed "Peace Train" station Ozzy performed "Crazy Train" disparage the same time, followed unwelcoming The O'Jays performance of "Love Train".^[146]

On 2 March 2011, Yusuf released his latest song, "My People", as a free download available through his official site, as well as numerous fear online outlets.^[147] Said to keep been recorded at a plant located within a hundred yards of the site of influence Berlin Wall, the song problem inspired by a series prop up popular uprisings in the Arabian world, known as the Arabian Spring.^[148]

On 1 April 2011, sharp-tasting launched a new tour site (yusufinconcert.com) to commemorate his foremost European tour in over 36 years scheduled from 7 Possibly will to 2 June 2011.

Probity ten-date tour visited Germany, Author, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium endure cities such as Stockholm, Metropolis, Oberhausen, Berlin, Munich, Rotterdam, Town, Mannheim, Vienna