Cat Stevens

He was turned back having attempted to enter Washington airport, but the plane was diverted to somewhere else (Maine?). They have identified him as a security risk, so although we will probably never know, I would be interested to see what they have on him.
Probably due to his criminal records: Bullet for the tillerman, Catch a bullet at four thousand feet, and Teaser and the Fire extinguisher.

Just reminded me of that great line from The Smoking Room - 'I can't travel these days, I haven't been anywhere since September 11th'...'where did you go then?'

I think he was an enthusiastic and public supporter for the fatwa on Salman Rushdie following publication of "The Satanic Verses".

I could be wrong, but it would be the first time.

Apparently its because he's helped groups in Palestine with fund-raising...or something along those lines.

Jonathan

He is accused of donating money to Hamas. A claim he denies.

Matthew

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian OReilly:
I _think_ he was an enthusiastic and public supporter for the fatwa on Salman Rushdie following publication of "The Satanic Verses".

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Absolutely correct, and he has donated tens of thousands to Hamas (allegedly).

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian OReily:
I think he was an enthusiastic and public supporter for the fatwa on Salman Rushdie following publication of "The Satanic Verses".

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He supported the banning of "The Satanic Verses" and this was taken by the media as support for the fatwa.

quote:

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Originally posted by Shayman:
Apparently its because he's helped groups in Palestine with fund-raising...or something along those lines.

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He is alleged to have given money to Hamas some years ago. However, it may be that he was unaware of the true nature of the organisation at that time.

He has spoken out against terrorism and stated that it has no part in the religion of Islam.

I heard Yusuf Islam being interviewed recently on German television and have to say that he came over as articulate, eloquent and likeable.

Steve Margolis
defy convention - make music

I am a big fan of the man's music back in the day when he called himself "Cat". I think that Brian above is correct but I wasn't aware that he had any connections with fundraising for terrorist groups. When I listen to his music I am struck by the overt move towards religion and desire for peace. I can't believe that such a man represents a security risk to any country.

Mole Man

P.S. Didn't he once record a song about having a nightmare experience at an airport in the USA once? It's the first song on the second side of "Catch Bull At Four" (yes I've only got it on vinyl).

quote:

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Originally posted by 7V:
I heard Yusuf Islam being interviewed recently on German television and have to say that he came over as articulate, eloquent and likeable.

Steve Margolis
_defy convention - make music_

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Seconded.

Brian OReilly

A bug still in the system but they are working on it.

It's because Rick Wakeman didn't get the credit for the piano on 'Morning has broken'



Stephen

quote:

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When I listen to his music I am struck by the overt move towards religion and desire for peace. I can't believe that such a man represents a security risk to any country..

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I agree, but I do remember during the Salman Rushdie fatwa he was interviewed on a late news program and he did actually say that he believed that the killing of Rushdie was just. He clearly said that he supported the killing of Rushdie if the fatwa was in place.
I was amazed too, but I heard him say it myself.

He supported the insane notion that it was desirable to kill a novelist on religious grounds;
He has raised money for a terrorist organisation (allegedly);
He vociferously endorses women being made to wear veils;
He can stick his Peace Train up his arse.

Davie
Oh yes, and he makes crap records.

Bloody disgrace, thank God our John was a Chrisz´tian ????

The US is fully entitled to refuse entry to anyone it doesn't want in without the need for any justification to anyone but the person they're refusing entry to.

Bob

Bob--

I agree completely with you but would delete the "but the person they're refusing entry to."

Best,

Bob

Can we refuse to take him back?
I've always hated his poxy records.

quote:

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Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
I've always hated his poxy records.

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I thought that 'Wild World' was a good song.

Steve

Chaps

This is typical pinko, vomit inducing drivel.

Cat Stevens is refused entry into the USA and some of you whinge about human rights etc. In this same week, two inocent men were beheaded by barbarians and it does not merit a mention.

How the hell do you expect the authorities to act.

You are plain bloody useless pontificating fools.

Regards

Mick

I too remember him supporting the fatwa and the killing of Rushdie.

Which makes it all the more jarring every time I hear 'Morning has Broken', which I actually like (sorry).

quote:

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Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Chaps

This is typical pinko, vomit inducing drivel.

Cat Stevens is refused entry into the USA and some of you whinge about human rights etc. In this same week, two inocent men were beheaded by barbarians and it does not merit a mention.

How the hell do you expect the authorities to act.

You are plain bloody useless pontificating fools.

Regards

Mick

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Mick, thanks.

I had an alternative posting lined up which went, "Refused entry? He's bloody lucky they didn't castrate him in flight and post his balls to Mecca", but I thought it might be too extreme for the forum. However, after reading your posting I feel strangely liberated, so what the hey?

BTW, which of us plain bloody useless pontificating fools was whinging about human rights? I'll get together a lynching party.

Steve

quote:

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Originally posted by Patrick Dixon:
I believe I too saw him on a TV discussion programme, expressing his support for the Rushdie fatwa. I vowed never to listen to his music again and for once I don't blame the US for their action on this occasion.

I have to say that like Mick I'm appalled by what is being done to the hostages in Iraq; I hope someone catches this guy fast - and hopefully they will catch him dead.

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In the light of people posting that they witnessed his expression of support for the fatwa, I have to say that I'm disappointed and that my opinion of the man has gone down.

Re. the taking of hostages in Iraq, that is, of course, a completely separate issue and one that ranks, along with other acts of terrorism, as absolutely disgraceful and unjustifiable.

Steve

quote:

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Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Chaps

This is typical pinko, vomit inducing drivel.

Cat Stevens is refused entry into the USA and some of you whinge about human rights etc. In this same week, two inocent men were beheaded by barbarians and it does not merit a mention.

How the hell do you expect the authorities to act.

You are plain bloody useless pontificating fools.

Regards

Mick

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Mick,

That's pathetic, even for you.

Precisely what actions have you taken to save the lives of those three hostages?

Do you seriously think none of us here are affected by what has happened and may subsequently happen to the sole UK hostage?

Or must we post our every abiding thought on the Forum for your delectation and judgement?

I am waiting....

JonR

Jon

It is a question of priorities.

Cat Steven's case appears to attract sympathy and yet the two hostages who died in an horrific manner within the last few days, receive hardly a mention.

It is typical of the pinko attitude that the civil liberties of some dubious man is more important than the death of two decent, ordinary living men.

Regards

Mick

"How the hell do you expect the authorities to act"

Stop the illegal occupation of other countries that directly leads to the death of many, many innocent people including (but far from restricted to) the two US engineers murdered this week?

"and yet the two hostages who died in an horrific manner within the last few days, receive hardly a mention"

They have been all over the newspapers and have recieved much sympathy from many people. The far greater number of Iraquis who die every day recieve far less sympathy.

Matthew