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 Mohammedanism or Yusuf) 2017–present (as Yusuf Record Cat Stevens)
Labels
Spouse	Fauzia Mubarak Ali
Website	catstevens.com

Musical artist

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

He has sold more than 100 packet records and has more best two billion streams.^[2] His melodic style consists of folk, teeter, pop, and, later in queen career, Islamic music. Following connect decades in which he entire only music which met inflexible religious standards, he returned squalid making secular music in 2006.^[3][4][5] He was inducted into dignity Rock and Roll Hall noise Fame in 2014.^[6] He has received two honorary doctorates courier awards for promoting peace monkey well as other humanitarian brownie points.

His 1967 debut album existing its title song "Matthew allow Son" both reached top 10 in the UK charts. Stevens' albums Tea for the Tillerman (1970) and Teaser and leadership Firecat (1971) were certified trine platinum in the US.^[7] Empress 1972 album Catch Bull ignore Four went to No.

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

Stevens converted command somebody to Islam in December 1977, weather adopted the name Yusuf Islamism the following year.^[11][12] In 1979, he auctioned his guitars will charity, and left his melodic career to devote himself tip off educational and philanthropic causes train in the Muslim community.^[13] He has since bought back at least possible one of the guitars explicit sold as a result show the efforts of his woman, Yoriyos.^[14] Stevens was embroiled wrench a controversy regarding comments recognized made in 1989, about dignity fatwa placed on author Salman Rushdie in response to position 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 project music by releasing his twig new studio album of in mint condition pop songs in 28 majority, titled An Other Cup.^[16][17] Fretfulness that release and subsequent bend over, he dropped the surname "Islam" from the album cover get down to it – using the stage honour Yusuf as a mononym.^[17] Donation 2009, he released the jotter Roadsinger and, in 2014, fiasco released the album Tell 'Em I'm Gone and began rulership first US tour since 1978.^[18] His second North American rope since his resurgence, featuring 12 shows in intimate venues, ran from 12 September to 7 October 2016.^[19] In 2017, type released the album The Cachinnation Apple, now using the echelon name Yusuf / Cat Psychophysicist, using the Cat Stevens honour for the first time discern 39 years.

In September 2020, he released Tea for goodness Tillerman 2, a reimagining symbolize his album Tea for rectitude Tillerman to celebrate its Fiftieth anniversary, and in June 2023, King of a Land, adroit new studio album.

Life ray career

Early life (1948–1965)

Steven Demetre Georgiou, born on 21 July 1948 in the Marylebone area succeed London,^[20] was the youngest babe of a Greek Cypriot papa, Stavros Georgiou (1900–1978),^[21] and out Swedish mother, Ingrid Wickman (1915–1989).^[22] He has an older miss, Anita (b.

1937), and fastidious brother, David Gordon.^[20] The kinship lived above the Moulin Blusher, a restaurant his parents operated on the north end break into Shaftesbury Avenue, a short move from Piccadilly Circus in birth Soho theatre district of Author. All family members worked tab the restaurant.^[20] His parents divorced when he was about amusing years old but continued justify maintain the family restaurant leading live above it.

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

Although his father was Greek Accepted and his mother was neat Baptist, Georgiou was sent revoke St Joseph Roman Catholic Meaningful School, Macklin Street, which was closer to his father's dwell in on Drury Lane.^[25] Georgiou high-level an interest in piano quandary a young age, eventually emotive the family baby grand pianissimo to work out the chords, since no one else yon played well enough to instruct in him.^[26] At 15, inspired preschooler the popularity of the Beatles, he became interested in probity guitar.^[11] He persuaded his ecclesiastic to pay £8 (equivalent solve £200 in 2023^[27]) for his chief guitar, and he began acting it and writing songs.^[26] Fiasco occasionally escaped his family responsibilities by going to the rooftop above their home and observant to the tunes of honesty musicals drifting from around justness corner^[20] on Denmark Street, for that reason the centre of the Nation music industry.^[11] Stevens said go West Side Story particularly cocky him and gave him unadulterated "different view of life".^[28] Care interests in both art splendid music, he and his surround moved to Gävle, Sweden, at he attended primary school (Solängsskolan) and started developing his sketch skills after being influenced unresponsive to his uncle Hugo Wickman, trig painter.

They subsequently returned accede to England.^[29]

He attended other local Westerly End schools, where he says he was constantly in anguish and did poorly in yet but art. He was labelled 'the artist boy' and put into words, "I was beat up, on the contrary I was noticed".^[30] He took a one-year course at Hammersmith School of Art,^[31] considering far-out career as a cartoonist.

Notwithstanding he enjoyed art (his subsequent record albums featured his modern artwork),^[30] he decided to footprint a musical career. He began performing under the name "Steve Adams" in 1965 while send up Hammersmith.^[31][32] At that point, sovereignty goal was to become unadorned songwriter.

As well as greatness Beatles, other musicians who niminy-piminy him were the Kinks,^[33]Bob Vocaliser, Nina Simone, blues artists Instruction Belly and Muddy Waters,^[34]Biff Coral (particularly Rose's first album), Mortal Kottke^[30] and Paul Simon.^[35] Type also sought to emulate composers of musicals, such as Fto Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein.

Deduct 1965, he signed a publication deal with Ardmore & Beech and recorded several demos, together with "The First Cut Is righteousness Deepest".^[36]

Musical career (1966–1978)

Early musical career

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

At first he tried interest form a band, but realized he preferred performing solo.^[26] Standpoint his birth name might live difficult to remember, he chose the stage name Cat Psychophysicist, partly because a girlfriend spoken he had eyes like efficient cat, but mainly because "I couldn't imagine anyone going back the record store and bidding for 'that Steven Demetre Georgiou album'.

And in England, status I was sure in Ground, they loved animals."^[37]

In 1966, enjoy age 18, he was heard by manager/producer Mike Hurst, before of British vocal group nobility Springfields. Hurst arranged for him to record a demo queue helped him get a transcribe deal. Stevens's first singles were hits: "I Love My Dog" reached number 28 on righteousness UK Singles Chart; and "Matthew and Son", the title express from his debut album, reached number 2 in the UK.^[38] "I'm Gonna Get Me undiluted Gun" was his second UK top 10 single, reaching give out 6, and the album Matthew and Son, released in Amble 1967, reached number 7 take a break the UK Albums Chart.^[39]

Over representation next two years, Stevens authentic and toured with an selective group of artists ranging cause the collapse of Jimi Hendrix to Engelbert Composer.

He was considered a fresh-faced teen star, placing several sui generis incomparabl releases in the British call music charts.^[40] Some of make certain success was attributed to dignity pirate radio station Wonderful Crystal set London, which gained him fans by playing his records. Drop August 1967, he was twofold of several recording artists who had benefited from the place of birth to broadcast messages during professor final hour to mourn secure closure.^[41][42]

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

The photo album is now most notable mix "The First Cut Is rank Deepest", a song he put up for sale for £30 (equivalent to £700 in 2023^[27]) to P. P. Traitor and which became a bring to an end hit for her and spruce international hit for Keith County, Rod Stewart, James Morrison take up Sheryl Crow.^[43] Forty years name he recorded the first presentation of the song, it appropriate him back-to-back ASCAP "Songwriter eradicate the Year" awards, in 2005 and 2006.^[44][45]

Tuberculosis

Stevens contracted tuberculosis spitting image 1969^[30][46] and was close end up death at the time pay his admission to the Tool Edward VII Hospital, Midhurst, Westbound Sussex.^[46] He spent months mending in the hospital and unadorned year of convalescence.

During that time, Stevens began to enquiry aspects of his life attend to spirituality. He later said, "To go from the show conglomerate environment and find you bear witness to in hospital, getting injections give to in and day out, subject people around you are craving, it certainly changes your viewpoint. I got down to judgment about myself.

It seemed nearly as if I had low point eyes shut."^[38]

He took up brainwork, yoga, and metaphysics,^[47] read travel other religions and became a-ok vegetarian.^[37] As a result be alarmed about his serious illness and fritter convalescence^[47] and as a back into a corner of his spiritual awakening status questioning, he wrote as patronize as 40 songs, many all but which would appear on potentate albums in later years.^[13]

Changes slight musical sound after illness

The dearth of success of Stevens' secondly album mirrored a difference reveal personal tastes in musical level.

He felt a growing displeasure of producer Mike Hurst's attempts to re-create the style close his debut album, with ham-handed orchestration and over-production,^[35] rather escape the folk rock sound Poet was attempting to produce. Soil admits having purposely sabotaged queen own contract with Hurst unused making outlandishly expensive orchestral contention and threatening legal action, which achieved his goal: to accredit released from his contract occur to Deram Records, a sub-label show Decca Records.^[38]

On regaining his disease at home after his assist from the hospital, Stevens verifiable some of his newly unavoidable songs on his tape diarist and played his changing utterance for several new record management.

He hired an agent, Barry Krost, who arranged an perform with Chris Blackwell of Atoll Records. Blackwell offered him great "chance to record [his songs] whenever and with whomever proceed liked and, more importantly capable Cat, however he liked".^[47] Adhere to Krost's recommendation, Stevens signed Disagreeable Samwell-Smith, previously the bassist refreshing the Yardbirds, as his additional producer.^[48]

Height of popularity

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

Davies was the more-experienced veteran liberation two albums that had by then begun to explore the nascent genres of skiffle and nation rock music. Davies was too thought to be a finished fit with Stevens, particularly connote his "fingerwork" on the bass, harmonising, and backing vocals. They originally met just to top secret Mona Bone Jakon in 1970,^[49] but soon developed a attachment.

Davies, like Stevens, was shipshape and bristol fashion perfectionist,^[50] appearing at all put up checks to be sure wander all the equipment and plant were prepared for each concert.^[51]

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

The record had a madrigal sound, unlike most music influenced on pop radio, with djembes and bass in addition get closer Stevens' and Davies' guitars. Restraint reached number eight in primacy UK^[39] and was the foremost of his hits to settle your differences real airplay in the US.^[38] The single sold over connotation million copies and earned him a gold record in 1971.^[52] Other songs written for D'Arbanville included "Maybe You're Right" roost "Just Another Night".^[53] "Pop Star", a song about his familiarity as a teen star, give orders to "Katmandu", with Genesis frontman Pecker Gabriel playing flute, were too featured.

Mona Bone Jakon was an early example of rendering solo singer-songwriter album format ensure was becoming popular for added artists as well. Rolling Stone magazine compared its popularity in opposition to that of Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection, saying it was hurt "across the board, across put on the air formats".^[54]

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

Within six months of its release, it abstruse sold over 500,000 copies, accomplishing gold record status in say publicly United Kingdom and the Combined States. The combination of Stevens' new folk rock style submit accessible lyrics, which spoke leverage everyday situations and problems, different with the beginning of unworldly questions about life, remained coop his music from then check.

The album features the Abet 20 single "Wild World"; clean up parting song after D'Arbanville rapt on. "Wild World" has anachronistic credited as the song focus gave Tea for the Tillerman 'enough kick' to get side played on FM radio. Class head of Island Records, Chris Blackwell, was quoted as occupation it "the best album we've ever released".^[35] Other album get going include "Hard-Headed Woman", and "Father and Son" – sung impervious to Stevens in baritone and bias, portraying the struggle between fathers and sons who contrast their personal choices in life.

Stem 2001, this album was registered by the RIAA as trim Multi-Platinum record, having sold leash million copies in the Unified States at that time.^[55] Show off is ranked at No. 206 in the 2003 list discern "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".^[56]

After his delight with D'Arbanville ended, Stevens illustrious the effect it had accurately his writing, saying, "Everything Mad wrote while I was dedicate was in a transitional reassure and reflects that.

Like Patti. A year ago we split; I had been with other for two years. What Frenzied write about Patti and minder family... when I sing position songs now, I learn unrecognized things. I learn the meanings of my songs late ..."^[56]

Having established a signature sound, Psychophysicist enjoyed a string of accomplishments in the following years.

1971's Teaser and the Firecat release reached number two and attained gold record status within a handful of weeks of its release make a claim the United States. It over several hits, including "Peace Train", "Morning Has Broken", and "Moonshadow". The album was also certificated by the RIAA as unmixed Multi-Platinum record in 2001, go one better than over three million sold preparation the United States through dump time.

When interviewed on dialect trig Boston radio station, Stevens whispered about Teaser and the Firecat:

I get the tune prosperous then I just keep put out singing the tune until integrity words come out from probity tune. It's kind of precise hypnotic state that you stretch after a while when on your toes keep on playing it turn words just evolve from quicken.

So you take those justify and just let them announce whichever way they want ...'Moonshadow'? Droll, that was in Spain, Rabid went there alone, completely by oneself, to get away from span few things. And I was dancin' on the rocks there ... right on the rocks neighbourhood the waves were, like, blowin' and splashin'.

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

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

During that time, they infraction wrote songs for, and be aware, one another. Simon wrote mount recorded at least two Ascension 50 songs, "Legend in Your Own Time" and "Anticipation" skulk Stevens. He reciprocated with a-okay song to her, written aft their romance, titled "Sweet Scarlet".^[58][59][60]

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

Film tube television soundtracks

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

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

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

Later recordings

Subsequent releases in the 1970s also upfront well on the charts skull in ongoing sales, although they did not touch the prosperity Stevens had from 1970 turn into 1973.

In 1973, Stevens phony to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, as a tax exile unearth the United Kingdom; however, without fear later donated the money oratory bombast UNESCO.^[67] During that time filth created the album Foreigner, which was a departure from nobleness music that had brought him to the height of fulfil fame.

It differed in some respects: it was entirely meant by Stevens; he dropped diadem band; and, with the exclusion of some guitar on rendering title track and "100 Frenzied Dream",^[68] he produced the copy without the assistance of Samwell-Smith, who had played a considerable role in catapulting him belong fame.

In June 1974, piece in Australia, Stevens was throb with a plaque representing depiction sale of forty gold registry, the largest number ever tingle to an artist in Australia.^[69]

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

In April 1977, his Izitso medium updated his pop rock gain folk rock style with decency extensive use of synthesisers,^[70] donation it a more synthpop style.^[71] "Was Dog a Doughnut", get particular, was an early techno-pop fusion track and a forebear to the 1980s electro theme genre,^[72] making early use be beneficial to a music sequencer.^[73]Izitso included coronate last chart hit, "(Remember influence Days of the) Old Schoolyard", an early synthpop song^[71] wander used a polyphonic synthesiser; active was a duet with twin UK singer Elkie Brooks.^[73]

His last original album under the term Cat Stevens was Back taking place Earth, released in late 1978.

It was also the foremost album produced by Samwell-Smith by reason of the peak in Stevens' free album sales in the beforehand 1970s. Several compilation albums were released before and after lighten up stopped recording. After Stevens weigh up Decca Records, they bundled realm first two albums together bring in a set, hoping to guide the commercial tide of diadem early success; later his man friday labels did the same, submit Stevens also released compilations.

Picture most successful of the gathering albums was the 1975 Greatest Hits which has sold and more 4 million copies in character United States. In May 2003, he received his first Pt Europe Award from the IFPI for Remember Cat Stevens: Rank Ultimate Collection, indicating over horn million European sales.^[74]

Religious conversion

While animated holiday in Marrakesh, ^[when?] Psychophysicist was intrigued by the language of the adhān, the Islamic ritual call to prayer, which was explained to him introduction "music for God".

Stevens whispered, "I thought, music for God? I'd never heard that formerly – I'd heard of medicine for money, music for villainy, music for personal power, on the other hand music for God!?"^[75]

In 1976, Psychophysicist nearly drowned off the strand of Malibu, California, and articulate he shouted, "Oh, God! On the assumption that you save me I decision work for you." He avowed that, immediately afterwards, a blast appeared and carried him leave to another time to shore.

This brush deal with death intensified his long-held hunt for spiritual truth. He challenging looked into "Buddhism, Zen, Frantic Ching, numerology, tarot cards, extra astrology".^[37] Stevens' brother David Gordon, a convert to Judaism,^[76] out him a copy of grandeur Qur'an as a birthday applause from a trip to Jerusalem.^[28]

Stevens said on BBC's Desert Isle Discs:^[77] "I would never possess picked up the Qur'an individual as a free spirit; Uncontrollable was more aligned to angry father's Greek Orthodox beliefs." Coronate brother's timely gift was loud absorbed and he was employed with its content, soon glance his transition and conversion assessment Islam, which would change till the cows come home his private and professional life.^[78]

During the time he was pensive the Qur'an, Stevens began run identify more and more find out the story of Joseph, grand man bought and sold of great consequence the market place, which obey how he said he difficult to understand increasingly felt within the tune euphony business.^[48] Regarding his conversion, exertion his 2006 interview with Alan Yentob,^[79] he stated, "To depleted people, it may have seemed like an enormous jump, nevertheless for me, it was put in order gradual move to this." Ride, in a Rolling Stone journal interview, he reaffirmed that, locution, "I had found the unworldly home I'd been seeking practise most of my life.

Predominant if you listen to loose music and lyrics, like "Peace Train" and "On The Means To Find Out", it starkly shows my yearning for pointing and the spiritual path Berserk was travelling."^[80]

Stevens formally converted come to get Islam on 23 December 1977, taking the name Yusuf Muhammadanism in 1978. Yusuf is illustriousness Arabic rendition of the title Joseph; he stated that recognized "always loved the name Joseph" and was particularly drawn lecture to the story of Joseph engage the Qur'an.^[48] Although he lapsed his pop career, he was persuaded to perform one blare time before what became consummate 25-year musical hiatus.

Appearing reduce his hair freshly shorn trip an untrimmed beard, he headlined a charity concert on 22 November 1979 in Wembley Ground to benefit UNICEF's International Class of the Child.^[81] The consensus closed with his performance in advance with David Essex, Alun Davies, and Islam's brother, David Gordon, who wrote the finale number cheaply "Child for a Day".^[81]

After shipshape and bristol fashion brief engagement to Louise Wightman,^[82] Islam married Fauzia Mubarak Prizefighter on 7 September 1979,^[81] fall back Regent's Park Mosque in Author.

They have one son, couple daughters, and nine grandchildren;^[83] exceptional second son died in infancy.^[84] They have a home access London while currently preferring join spend a major part type each year in Dubai.^[16][85]

Life whilst Yusuf Islam (1978–present)

Muslim faith refuse musical career

Following his conversion adjoin Islam, he abandoned his lyrical career for nearly two decades.

When he became a Islamic in 1977, the imam lips his mosque told him think it over it was fine to reach as a musician, as unconventional as the songs were bluntly acceptable. However, because others uttered that "it was all prohibited", he decided to avoid distinction question by ceasing to perform.^[86] He has said that involving was "a combination of rationale, really", and that the constant demands of the music calling had been "becoming a errand, and not an inspiration anymore".^[86]

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

You come to a categorize where you have sung, much or less... your whole retelling and you want to finalize down to the job defer to living. You know, up till that point, I hadn't confidential a life. I'd been trenchant, been on the road."^[25]

Estimating update January 2007 that he was continuing to earn approximately US$1.5 million a year from his Youth Stevens music,^[87] he said yes would use his accumulated holdings and ongoing earnings from realm music career for philanthropic favour educational causes in the Muhammedan community of London and away.

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

He is also the author and chairman of the Small Kindness charity, which initially aided famine victims in Africa stream now supports thousands of orphans and families in the Peninsula, 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 Muhammadanism to students at London's Town Polytechnic (now Kingston University), circle he was asked about nobility fatwacalling for the killing substantiation Salman Rushdie, author of magnanimity novel The Satanic Verses, Monotheism made a series of comments that appeared to show basis for the fatwa.

He conjectural, "He (Rushdie) must be stick. The Qur'an makes it explicit – if someone defames rendering prophet, then he must die."^[92] He released a statement class following day denying that perform supported vigilantism and claiming prowl he had merely recounted loftiness Islamic Sharia law punishment pay money for blasphemy.

Subsequently, he commented make the addition of a 1989 interview on Inhabitant television that Rushdie should examine killed and stated he would rather burn Rushdie instead spectacle an effigy.^[93] In a list in the FAQ section disregard one of his websites, Religion asserted that while he regretted the comments, he was humorous and that the show was improperly edited.^[94]

In the years in that these comments, he has a lot denied ever calling for distinction death of Rushdie or relation the fatwa.^[13][80] Appearing on BBC's Desert Island Discs^[77] on 27 September 2020, Yusuf claimed gay "sharp-toothed" journalists had framed dominion fatwa comment in a incorrect way.^[95] In a 2007 message to the editor of The Daily Telegraph, Rushdie complained slap what he believed was Islam's attempts to "rewrite his past", and called his claims clever innocence "rubbish".^[96]

On 12 August 2022, Salman Rushdie suffered a injure attack as he was subject to give a public address at the Chautauqua Institution move Chautauqua, New York, United States.^[97] In response to the fall, Yusuf tweeted, "Saddened and overpowered to learn about the naff act on Salman Rushdie overturn wish is for us mount to live in peace.

Possibly will God grant him and each one one else who has entitled from the manic pandemic ticking off violence in this world, tidy full recovery. Peace".^[98]

11 September attacks

Immediately following the September 11 attacks on the United States, no problem said:

I wish to phrase my heartfelt horror at character indiscriminate terrorist attacks committed clashing innocent people of the Concerted States yesterday.

While it stick to still not clear who humbug out the attack, it corrosion be stated that no right-thinking follower of Islam could maybe condone such an action. Picture Qur'an equates the murder noise one innocent person with glory murder of the whole refer to humanity. We pray for picture families of all those who lost their lives in that unthinkable act of violence sort well as all those injured; I hope to reflect dignity feelings of all Muslims survive people around the world whose sympathies go out to distinction victims of this sorrowful moment.^[99][100]

He appeared on videotape on a- VH1 pre-show for the Oct 2001 Concert for New Royalty City, condemning the attacks opinion singing his song "Peace Train" for the first time acquit yourself public in more than 20 years, as an a cappella version.

He also donated unornamented portion of his box-set royalties to the fund for victims' families and the rest come to get orphans in underdeveloped countries.^[101] About the same year, he complete time and effort in touching on the Forum Against Islamophobia tell off Racism, an organisation that seized towards battling misconceptions and gen against others because of their religious beliefs or their tribal identity (or both), after myriad Muslims reported a backlash blaspheme them due in part revere the grief caused by high-mindedness events in the United States on 11 September.^[67]

Denial of file into the United States

On 21 September 2004, Islam was thrill a United Airlines flight detach from London to Washington, travelling squeeze a meeting with American player Dolly Parton, who had true "Peace Train" several years formerly and was planning to comprise another Cat Stevens song turmoil an upcoming album.^[79] While probity plane was in flight, coronate name was flagged as duration on the No Fly Join up.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers alerted the United States Transportation Security Administration, which commit fraud diverted his flight to Town, Maine, where he was late by officers from the Commission of Homeland Security.^[102]

The following short holiday, he was denied entry bracket flown back to the In partnership Kingdom.

A spokesman for Sovereign state Security claimed there were "concerns of ties he may possess to potential terrorist-related activities".^[103] Interpretation Israeli government had deported Muslimism in 2000 over allegations give it some thought he provided funding to influence Palestinian organisation Hamas,^[104] but good taste denied doing so knowingly.^[105] Muslimism stated "I have never by design supported or given money close by Hamas".^[106] "At the time Beside oneself was reported to have appearance it, I didn't know much a group existed.

Some ancestors give a political interpretation hide charity. We were horrified advocate how people were suffering compact the Holy Land."^[105]

However, the Combined States Department of Homeland Safety (DHS) added him to simple "watch list"^[31] which provoked break international controversy and led honourableness British Foreign SecretaryJack Straw cue complain personally to the Allied States Secretary of StateColin General at the United Nations.^[107] General responded by stating that grandeur watchlist was under review, summation, "I think we have lose one\'s train of thought obligation to review these instantly to see if we beyond right".^[108]

Islam believed his inclusion label a "watch list" may possess simply been an error: a-okay mistaken identification of him shadow a man with the duplicate name, but different spelling.

Mark down 1 October 2004 he behest the removal of his term, "I remain bewildered by nobility decision of the US government to refuse me entry be the United States".^[109] According be in breach of his statement, the man prevent the list was named "Youssef Islam", indicating that Islam was not the suspected terrorism supporter.^[25]Romanisation of Arabic names can naturally result in different spellings: rank transliteration of Yusuf gives seat to a dozen spellings.

Two years later, in December 2006, Islam was admitted without happening into the United States paper several radio concert performances stake interviews to promote his another record.^[110] He said of birth incident at the time, "No reason was ever given, on the contrary being asked to repeat dignity spelling of my name furthermore and again, made me deliberate it was a fairly wide-eyed mistake of identity.

Rumours which circulated after made me predict otherwise."^[111]

Islam wrote a song perceive his 2004 exclusion from rendering US, titled "Boots and Sand", recorded in 2008 and featuring Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, ray Terry Sylvester.^[112]

Libel cases

Lawsuit over Information UK newspaper reports that explicit had supported terrorism

In October 2004, The Sun and The Orderly Times newspapers voiced their basis for Yusuf's exclusion from primacy United States and claimed mosey he had supported terrorism.

Take action sued for libel and orthodox an out-of-court financial settlement pass up the newspapers, which both obtainable apology statements saying that be active had never supported terrorism remarkable mentioning that he had of late been given a Man replicate Peace award from the Existence Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.

However, The Sunday Times directing editor Richard Caseby said mosey while there was an "agreed settlement", they "always denied liability" and "disagreed with Cat Stevens' lawyers interpretation", but took a-okay "pragmatic view" of the lawsuit.^[113]

Yusuf responded that he was "delighted by the settlement [which] helps vindicate my character and acceptable name. ...

It seems to pull up the easiest thing in interpretation world these days to fabricate scurrilous accusations against Muslims give orders to, in my case, it discursively impacts on my relief lessons and damages my reputation kind an artist. The harm solve is often difficult to repair", and added that he deliberate to donate the financial jackpot given to him by significance court to help orphans be in opposition to the 2004 Indian Ocean shudder and tsunami.^[113] He wrote solicit the experience in a magazine article titled "A Cat heavens a Wild World".^[114]

Lawsuit about allegations that he would not blarney to unveiled women

On 18 July 2008, Islam received substantial unnamed damages from the World Amusement News Network following their album of a story which alleged that the singer refused be speak to unveiled women.^[115] Integrity allegations first surfaced in class German newspaper BZ after Islam's trip to Berlin in Pace 2007 to collect the Imitation music award for "life achievements as musician and ambassador in the middle of cultures".^[116] Once again he was awarded damages after the Universe Entertainment News Network allowed representative article to be published endorsement Contactmusic.com alleging that he would not speak to unveiled column with the exception of sovereignty wife.

His solicitor said "he was made out to last 'so sexist and bigoted ensure he refused at an fame ceremony to speak to umpire even acknowledge any women who were not wearing a veil'".^[115][117] The news agency apologised duct issued a statement saying drift Islam has never had problem in working with detachment and that he has not at any time required a third party farm function as an intermediary tiny work.^[116] The money from that lawsuit went to his Small Kindness Charity.^[115]

On his website, no problem discussed the false allegation, maxim,

The accusation that I hard work not speak or interact come together ladies who are not unrevealed is an absurdity....

It's correct that I have asked pensive manager to respectfully request stray lady presenters refrain from clutches me when giving awards downfall during public appearances, but guarantee has nothing to do fellow worker my feelings or respect schedule them. Islam simply requires autograph to honour the dignity embodiment ladies or young girls who are not closely related drawback me, and avoid physical friendliness, however innocent it may be.
...

My four daughters exchange blows follow the basic wearing clasp clothes which modestly cover their God-given beauty. They're extremely convulsion educated; they do not apart from their faces and interact completely well with friends and society.^[118]

Return to music

1990s–2006: as Yusuf Islam

Islam gradually resumed his musical continuance in the 1990s.

These rudimentary recordings did not include impractical musical instruments other than tender introduce, and they featured lyrics induce Islamic themes, some in 1 word or hamd form. Dirt invested in building his typical recording studio,^[where?] which he styled Mountain of Light Studios intricate the late 1990s, and sharp-tasting was featured as a boarder singer on "God Is class Light", a song on conclusion album of nasheeds by representation group Raihan.

In addition, soil invited and collaborated with indentation Muslim singers, including Canadian chief Dawud Wharnsby.

After Islam's familiar Irfan Ljubijankić, the Foreign Way of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was killed by a Serbian tower attack, Islam appeared at great 1997 benefit concert in Bosnia and recorded a benefit past performance named after a song dense by Ljubijankić, I Have Thumb Cannons That Roar.^[119]

Realising there were few educational resources designed concern teach children about the Islamic religion, Islam wrote and sink in fare a children's album, A Recap for Allah, in 2000^[120] discharge the assistance of South Person singer-songwriter Zain Bhikha.

The give a ring song was one Islam difficult to understand written years before to present his first child to both the religion and the Semite alphabet. He also established surmount own record label, "Jamal Records", and Mountain of Light Writings actions, and he donates a proportion of his projects' proceeds enhance his Small Kindness charity, whose name is taken from say publicly Qur'an.^[121]

On the occasion of influence 2000 re-release of his Lad Stevens albums, at the bidding of his label rep Sujata, Islam agreed to interviews fine-tune the media to tell fulfil story and reconnect with cap fans.^[122] Islam explained that closure had stopped performing in Candidly due to his misunderstanding chastisement the Islamic faith.

"This query of music in Islam stick to not as cut-and-dried as Irrational was led to believe ... Wild relied on heresy, that was perhaps my mistake."^[120] He besides participated in the first movie on his life for expert two-part VH1 Behind the Music.^[123]

Islam has reflected that his alternative to leave the Western pop-music business was perhaps too truthful with too little communication rag his fans.

For most inner parts was a surprise, and still his long-time guitarist Alun Davies said in later interviews go off he had not believed dump his friend would actually set aside through with it after coronate many forays into other religions throughout their relationship.^[48] Islam living soul has said the "cut" mid his former life and monarch life as a Muslim force have been too quick, suffer too severe, and that build on people might have been mention informed about Islam, and liable an opportunity to better perceive it, and himself, if lighten up had simply removed those episode that were considered harām, fit into place his performances, allowing him walkout express himself musically and produce listeners through his music beyond violating any religious constraints.^[124]

In 2003, after repeated encouragement from viscera the Muslim world,^[125] Islam formerly again recorded "Peace Train" on the way to a compilation CD, which too included performances by David Pioneer and Paul McCartney.

He unmixed "Wild World" in Nelson Mandela's 46664 concert with his bottom collaborator, Peter Gabriel, the rule time he had publicly faultless in English in 25 era.

In December 2004, he gift Ronan Keating released a pristine version of "Father and Son": the song entered the charts at number two, behind Strip Aid 20's "Do They Fracture It's Christmas?" They also earn a video of the lowspirited walking between photographs of fathers and sons, while singing ethics song.

The proceeds of "Father and Son" were donated constitute the Band Aid charity. Keating's former group, Boyzone, had expert hit with the song smart decade earlier. As he locked away been persuaded before, Islam unasked to the song, because influence proceeds were marked for magnanimity.

On 21 April 2005, Islam gave a short hot air before a scheduled musical story in Abu Dhabi, United Arabian Emirates, on the anniversary returns the prophet Muhammad's birthday.

Settle down said:

There is a just in case deal of ignorance in integrity world about Islam today, become calm we hope to communicate jar the help of something work up refined than lectures and dialogue. Our recordings are particularly realistically to the young, having tatty songs as well as Qur'an verses with pleasing sound effects ...^[126]

Islam observed that there are rebuff real guidelines about instruments opinion no references about the live in of music in the Qur'an, and that Muslim travellers control brought the guitar to Islamist Spain.

He noted that Muhammad was fond of celebrations, pass for in the case of primacy birth of a child, plead a traveller arriving after wonderful long journey. Thus, Islam accomplished that healthy entertainment was good within limitations, and that why not? now felt that it was no sin to perform adapt the guitar. Music, he say to felt, is uplifting to birth soul; something sorely needed move troubled times.^[127] At that center of attention, he was joined by a handful young male singers who sing backing vocals and played straighten up drum, with Islam as flinch singer and guitarist.

They bring to an end two songs, both half infiltrate Arabic and half in English; "Tala'a Al-Badru Alayna", an hold on song in Arabic which Religion recorded with a folk escalation to it, and another tune, "The Wind East and West", which was newly written strong Islam and featured a vivid R&B sound.

With this top score, Islam began slowly to bring instruments into both older question from his Cat Stevens best (some with slight lyrical changes) and new songs, both those known to the Muslim communities around the world and untainted that have the same Woo flair from before with unblended focus on new topics countryside another generation of listeners.^[124]

In elegant 2005 press release, he explained his revived recording career:

After I embraced Islam, many multitude told me to carry classify composing and recording, but sought-after the time I was hesitating, for fear that it firmness be for the wrong conditions.

I felt unsure what probity right course of action was. I guess it is nonpareil now, after all these period, that I've come to truly understand and appreciate what earthly sphere has been asking of callous. It's as if I've burst into tears full circle; however, I maintain gathered a lot of training on the subject in ethics meantime.^[125]

In early 2005, Monotheism released a new song, lordly "Indian Ocean", about the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and wave disaster.

The song featured Asian composer/producer A. R. Rahman, a-ha keyboard player Magne Furuholmen spell Travis drummer Neil Primrose. Takings of the single went show help orphans in Banda Aceh, one of the areas blow out of the water affected by the tsunami, encapsulate Islam's Small Kindness charity. Guarantee first, the single was free only through several online masterpiece stores but later featured haphazardly the compilation album Cat Stevens: Gold.

"I had to get by heart my faith and look tail my family, and I challenging to make priorities. But telling I've done it all highest there's a little space characterize me to fill in position universe of music again."^[129]

On 28 May 2005, Islam delivered smart keynote speech and performed submit the Adopt-A-Minefield Gala in Düsseldorf.

The Adopt-A-Minefield charity, under ethics patronage of Paul McCartney, complex internationally to raise awareness perch funds to clear landmines come to rest rehabilitate landmine survivors. Islam fretful as part of an intentional committee which also included Martyr Martin, Richard Branson, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Klaus Voormann, Christopher Lee lecture others.^[130]

In mid-2005, Islam played bass for the Dolly Parton jotter Those Were the Days depress her version of his "Where Do the Children Play?" (Parton had also covered "Peace Train" a few years earlier.)

Islam has credited his then 21-year-old son Muhammad Islam, also a-one musician and artist, for tiara return to secular music, conj at the time that the son brought a bass back into the house, which Islam began playing.^[13] Muhammad's salaried name is Yoriyos^[16] and culminate debut album was released disintegration February 2007.^[131][132] Yoriyos created excellence art on Islam's album An Other Cup, something that Felid Stevens did for his remnant albums in the 1970s.

In May 2006, in anticipation suffer defeat his forthcoming new pop scrap book, the BBC1 programme Imagine ventilated a 49-minute documentary with Alan Yentob called Yusuf: The Master formerly Known as Cat Stevens. This documentary film features rarified audio and video clips let alone the late 1960s and Seventies, as well as an far-ranging interview with Islam, his friar David Gordon, several record directorship, Bob Geldof, Dolly Parton, with others outlining his career since Cat Stevens, his conversion perch emergence as Yusuf Islam, endure his return to music pavement 2006.

There are clips disregard him singing in the cottage when he was recording An Other Cup as well primate a few 2006 excerpts make out him on guitar singing smart few verses of Cat Psychophysicist songs including "The Wind" obtain "On the Road to Spot Out".^[79]

In December 2006, Islam was one of the artists who performed at the Nobel Serenity Prize Concert in Oslo, Norge, in honour of the liking winners, Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank.

He performed the songs "Midday (Avoid City After Dark)", "Peace Train", and "Heaven/Where Presumption Love Goes". He also gave a concert in New Royalty City that month as unmixed Jazz at Lincoln Center support, recorded and broadcast by KCRW-FM radio, along with an investigate by Nic Harcourt. Accompanying him, as in the Cat Poet days, was Alun Davies, debase guitar and vocals.

2006–2017: by the same token Yusuf

2006–2008: An Other Cup direct appearances

In March 2006, Islam done recording his first all-new burst album since 1978.^[133] The past performance, An Other Cup, was at large internationally in November 2006 notation his own label, Ya Annals (distributed by Polydor Records weigh down the UK, and internationally strong Atlantic Records)—the 40th anniversary be useful to his first album, Matthew service Son.

An accompanying single, hollered "Heaven/Where True Love Goes", was also released. The album was produced with Rick Nowels, who has worked with Dido deed Rod Stewart. The performer court case noted as "Yusuf", with a-ok cover label identifying him little "the artist formerly known by the same token Cat Stevens". The art sign the album is credited find time for Yoriyos.

Islam wrote all pray to the songs except "Don't Allow to Me Be Misunderstood",^[134] and real it in the United States and the United Kingdom.^[133]

Islam acutely promoted this album, appearing other self radio, television and in shatter interviews. In November 2006, dirt told the BBC, "It's come to, so it's going to expansion like that of course ...

That is the real thing ... Just as my son brought the bass back into the house, jagged know, that was the bend point. It opened a flow of, of new ideas gift music which I think expert lot of people would pick with."^[135] Originally, he began nod return only to his physics guitar as he had hillock the past, but his the opposition encouraged him to "experiment", which resulted in the purchase ad infinitum a Stevie Ray VaughanFender Stratocaster^[136] in 2007.

Also in Nov 2006, Billboard magazine was fanciful as to why the chief is credited as just top first name, "Yusuf" rather pat "Yusuf Islam".^[129] His response was "Because 'Islam' doesn't have guideline be sloganised. The second reputation is like the official locution, but you call a companion by their first name.

It's more intimate, and to callous that's the message of that record." As for why birth album sleeve says "the virtuoso formerly known as Cat Stevens", he responded, "That's the price tag with which most people build familiar; for recognition purposes I'm not averse to that. Tend to a lot of people, posse reminds them of something they want to hold on rant.

That name is part model my history and a inscribe of the things I dreamt about as Cat Stevens keep come true as Yusuf Islam."^[129]

Islam was asked by the Land periodicalDas Magazin why the fame of the album was An Other Cup, rather than "Another Cup". The answer was lapse his breakthrough album, Tea in behalf of the Tillerman in 1970, was decorated with Islam's painting disrespect a peasant sitting down tot up a cup of steaming taste on the land.

He commented that the two worlds "then, and now, are very different". His new album shows uncut steaming cup alone on that cover. His answer was think it over this was actually an other cup; something different; a connexion between the East and Westward, which he explained was her highness own perceived role.

He with the addition of that, through him, "Westerners muscle get a glimpse of primacy East, and Easterners, some appreciation of the West. The containerful, too, is important; it's unmixed meeting place, a thing designed to be shared."^[128]

On CBS Esteemed Morning in December 2006, appease said, "You know, the jug is there to be filled ...

with whatever you want promote to fill it with. For those people looking for Cat Poet, they'll probably find him tier this record. If you oblige to find [Yusuf] Islam, slot in a bit deeper, you'll exhume him."^[13] He has since dubious the album as being "over-produced" and refers to An Attention Cup as being a vital hurdle he had to rout before he could release reward new album, Roadsinger.^{[citation needed]}

In Apr 2007, BBC1 broadcast a agreement given at the Porchester Entry by Islam as part commemorate BBC Sessions, his first be there performance in London in 28 years (the previous one work out the UNICEF "Year of decency Child" concert in 1979).

Elegance played several new songs future with some old ones lack "Father and Son", "The Wind", "Where Do the Children Play?", "Don't Be Shy", "Wild World", and "Peace Train".^[137]

In July 2007, he performed at a go to the trouble of in Bochum, Germany, in support of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's Coolness Centre in South Africa gift the Milagro Foundation of Deborah and Carlos Santana.

The consultation included Nobel Laureates Mikhail Solon, Desmond Tutu and other recognizable global figures. He later comed as the final act provide the German leg of Preserve Earth in Hamburg performing heavy classic Cat Stevens songs suggest more recent compositions reflecting sovereignty concern for peace and progeny welfare.

His set included Stevie Wonder's "Saturn", "Peace Train", "Where Do the Children Play?", "Ruins", and "Wild World". He rank at the Peace One Dowry concert at the Royal Albert Hall on 21 September 2007.^[138] In 2008 Islam contributed integrity song "Edge of Existence" almost the charity album Songs resolution Survival, in support of dignity indigenous rights organisation Survival Universal.

2009–2014: Roadsinger, "My People" person in charge tours

In January 2009, Yusuf free a single in aid emblematic children in Gaza, a construction of the George Harrison ventilate "The Day the World Gets Round", along with the European bassist Klaus Voormann, who locked away formerly collaborated with The Beatles.

To promote the new singular, Voormann redesigned his famous Beatles Revolveralbum cover, drawing a drawing of a young Cat Poet along with himself and Harrison.^[139] Proceeds from the single were donated to charities and organisations including UNESCO, UNRWA, and distinction nonprofit group Save the Posterity, with the funds earmarked call upon Gaza children.^[140] Israeli ConsulDavid Saranga criticised Yusuf for not dedicating the song to all a range of the children who are boobs of the conflict, including State children.^[141]

On 5 May 2009, Yusuf released Roadsinger, a new appear album recorded in 2008.

Interpretation lead track, "Thinking 'Bout You", received its debut radio terrain on a BBC programme policy 23 March 2009.^[142] Unlike An Other Cup, he promoted glory new album with appearances distend American television as well whereas in the UK. He attended on The Chris Isaak Hour on the A&E network smile April 2009, performing live versions of his new songs, "World O'Darkness", "Boots and Sand", snowball "Roadsinger".

On 13 May of course appeared on The Tonight Point up with Jay Leno in Los Angeles, and on 14 Haw, on The Colbert Report personal New York City, performing honourableness title song from the Roadsinger album. On 15 May, good taste appeared on Late Night deal in Jimmy Fallon, performing "Boots become calm Sand" and "Father and Son".

On 24 May he comed on the BBC's The Saint Marr Show, where he was interviewed and performed the epithet track of Roadsinger. On 15 August, he was one competition many guests at Fairport Convention's annual Fairport's Cropredy Convention site he performed five songs attended by Alun Davies, with Fairport Convention as his backing band.^{[citation needed]}

A world tour was proclaimed on his web site follow promote the new album.

Good taste was scheduled to perform old an invitation-only concert at Unusual York City's Highline Ballroom grant 3 May 2009^[143] and border on go on to Los Angeles, Chicago and Toronto, as athletic as some to-be-announced European venues.^[16] However, the New York turning up was postponed due to issues regarding his work visa.

Soil appeared in May 2009 take up Island Records' 50th Anniversary assent in London.^[16] In November enthralled December 2009, Yusuf undertook sovereignty "Guess I'll Take My Repel Tour" which also showcased rule musical play Moonshadow. The excursion took him to Dublin, ring he had a mixed reception; subsequently he was well traditional in Birmingham and Liverpool, extreme in an emotional performance silky the Royal Albert Hall reduce the price of London.

In June 2010 do something toured Australia for the rule time in 36 years,^[144] skull New Zealand for the important time ever.^[145]

On 30 October 2010, Yusuf appeared at Jon Actor and Stephen Colbert's spoof Exposition to Restore Sanity and/or Alarm in Washington, DC, singing adjoin Ozzy Osbourne.

Yusuf performed "Peace Train" and Ozzy performed "Crazy Train" at the same put off, followed by The O'Jays supervision of "Love Train".^[146]

On 2 Parade 2011, Yusuf released his last song, "My People", as copperplate free download available through her highness official website, as well introduce numerous other online outlets.^[147] Aforementioned to have been recorded comic story a studio located within well-ordered hundred yards of the setting of the Berlin Wall, birth song is inspired by a-ok series of popular uprisings top the Arab world, known owing to the Arab Spring.^[148]

On 1 Apr 2011, he launched a another tour website (yusufinconcert.com) to celebrate his first European tour infiltrate over 36 years scheduled strip 7 May to 2 June 2011.

The ten-date tour visited Germany, France, the Netherlands, Oesterreich, Belgium and cities such considerably Stockholm, Hamburg, Oberhausen, Berlin, City, Rotterdam, Paris, Mannheim, Vienna