2008-Feb-04 Mon
Yusuf Islam -formerly Cat Stevens
Yusuf Islam became a controversial figure many years ago, in the UK, after reported comments Yusuf Islam made, regarding Salman Rushdie, and the death fatwa on him.
Last week this documentary played on our local ABC TV [Australia]...
Yusuf
Islam: A Few Good Songs8:30pm Thursday, 31 Jan 2008
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/netw/200801/programs/ZY8754A001D31012008T203000.htm
I watched the program.
I had intended to go to the ABC TV "Have Your Say" forum, to have my say, about this documentary shown on ABC TV....
Show ABC TV Have Your Say Topics
yusuf islam
http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/Message.aspx?b=81&t=1&a=0&ps=20&dm=1&m=10787&pd=1&p=1
yusuf islam
http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/Message.aspx?b=81&t=1&a=0&ps=20&dm=1&m=10787&pd=1&p=1
But after reading some posted comments at the forum, it seems a number of comments on these pages, were from people expressing their concern about the ABC's 'Moderation' of these pages.
It was expressed that the ABC 'Moderator' seemed concerned about the level of free discussion, on this publicly funded forum.
And the ABC 'Moderator' was not inclined to allow any 'offensive' comment, that was pertinent to the discussion about this documentary..... Yusuf Islam: A Few Good Songs
For example [see the 4th post cited]....
'mmurray ®' said.....
"I missed the documentary. Does this mean he [Yusuf Islam] doesn't want Salman Rushdie murdered anymore ?
Michael"
"I missed the documentary. Does this mean he [Yusuf Islam] doesn't want Salman Rushdie murdered anymore ?
Michael"
"Apparently he never did.
Best try & catch the show again somewhere or google Yusof Islam
& see what he really said."
"Michael,
the Rushdie subject was brought up and I feel he gave a very guarded answer."
'Chuckie ®' said.....
"Dear Moderator.... I understand the need to moderate the Board and would not have it any other way. Having not seen what was actually edited out of the previous posts, I cannot comment. However, it does seem a little heavy handed that genuine discussion of the issues raised in this wonderful ABC programme are being edited out.
The contributors ARE discussing ABC TV - It was on last night. It raised some very interesting issues which have clearly touched many people (in different ways) and these boards provide a great opportunity for those so touched to discuss the issues raised and have their opinions heard.Apparently he never did. Best try & catch the show again somewhere or google Yusof Islam & see what he really said.
If we are not allowed to discss these issues here, please tell us where we can all go and discuss them....."
http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/Message.aspx?b=81&t=1&a=0&ps=20&dm=1&m=10787&pd=1&p=1
This is the ABC Moderator comment, on one post....
"This board is meant to be a forum for
views on ABC television. While conversations will naturally flow into
related subjects, it is sometimes necessary to delete or edit posts
that wander into some territories. In this instance, general remarks
made about a person's religious beliefs and generalisations made about
that religion could well be
offensive to many people and therefore will be edited or
removed."
I wonder if the ABC forum Moderator would have allowed me to post any of this information [below]?
I make this statement, in presenting this information [below]:
This information is not hate,
but an attempt to come to the TRUTH.
TRUTH is not hate.
It would seem TRUTH has a new paradigm, today, where
the
ISLAMIC world meets the 'West'...TRUTH is not hate.
For many muslims, speaking TRUTH is deemed 'hateful',
....whereas hate,
is
portrayed as 'religious' TRUTH, and often, killing innocents is deemed
'righteous', when the victims are non-muslim [ cited
].
It is a concern that there are many today, who it is clear, fervently wish to destroy our un-ISLAMIC culture in the 'West'.
And in that 'struggle', it is apparent that many muslims insist, that indeed...
TRUTH is 'hate'.
And hate, is 'TRUTH'.
And hate, is 'TRUTH'.
This is the 11th
commandment,
which Moses missed...
'Thou shalt say nothing 'offensive', however TRUTHFUL.'
'Thou shalt say nothing 'offensive', however TRUTHFUL.'
Any way, moving on....
Below, is some of the information which i would have liked to have posted on the ABC TV "Have Your Say" forum discussing, Yusuf Islam: A Few Good Songs.
I think that this information is relevant, in light of the statements made by Yusuf Islam in the [mentioned] documentary, about his Rushdie comments [years ago] being 'misrepresented'.
This [below] was email comment from a friend responding to the documentary, Yusuf Islam: A Few Good Songs,
.....and most of my reply [citing
links, many
from a
REAL internet forum]...
[friends
comment]
> Yusuf Islam
> .. what a nice man.
[my reply....]
lovely bloke xxxxx
another 'hero' figure, another Idol of men, with feet of clay.
++++++++++
May 23, 1989
Cat Stevens Gives Support To Call for Death of Rushdie
By CRAIG R. WHITNEY
LONDON, May 22 -- The musician known as Cat Stevens said in a British television program to be broadcast next week that rather than go to a demonstration to burn an effigy of the author Salman Rushdie, ''I would have hoped that it'd be the real thing.''
http://partners.nytimes.com/books/99/04/18/specials/rushdie-cat.html
++++++++++
"Salman Rushdie, indeed any writer who abuses the prophet or indeed any prophet under Islamic law, the sentence for that is actually death."
-yusuf islam
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/y/yusuf_islam.html
++++++++++
February 15, 2007
Yusuf Islam "appalled" at Rushdie's misunderstanding
Now wait a minute, Yusuf. From Contact Music, with thanks to all who sent this in:
YUSUF ISLAM, the artist formerly known as CAT STEVENS, was "appalled" when newspapers accused him of calling for SALMAN RUSHDIE's head on a platter.
.......In other words, Rushdie should only be killed in a Sharia state. He is apparently saying that he only opposed the death fatwa because Rushdie lived in England, where Sharia was not in effect. He nowhere says that there should be no death penalty for blasphemy.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015280.php
++++++++++
Interview by DEBORAH SOLOMON
New York Times,
07 Jan, 2007
[Q:] "So would you say you have contempt for a terrorist group like Hamas?"
[YI:] "I wouldn’t put those words in my mouth. I wouldn’t say anything on that issue. I’m here to talk about peace. I’m a man who does want peace for this world, and I don’t think you will achieve that by putting people into corners and asking them very, very difficult questions about very contentious issues."
There you have it. Yusuf Islam thinks that "peace" will not be achieved by asking people difficult questions about contentious issues.
Posted by: Khaybar Oasis at February 15, 2007 7:43 PM
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015280.php#c350650
++++++++++
February 16, 2007
Yusuf Islam and Salman Rushdie
Yesterday I expressed skepticism at Yusuf Islam's claim that he never supported the death fatwa against Salman Rushdie. Jihad Watch reader Tex emailed me this late last night:
Mr. Islam is lying through his teeth. I saw him on at least two separate occasions around '89/90 openly advocating the death penalty against Rushdie.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015294.php
++++++++++
Cat Stevens (aka Yusuf Islam) supported the Ayatollah's ruling to have Salman Rushdie killed. In the following statement, he simultaneously reiterates his support, and attempts to wiggle out using sophistry and taqiyya.
Yusuf Islam Issues A Formal Statement On The Rushdie Affair
By Yusuf Islam
March 2nd, 1989
Under Islamic Law, the ruling regarding blasphemy is quite clear; the person found guilty of it must be put to death. Only under certain circumstances can repentance be accepted.
On 21st February, I was speaking to a group of students at the Kingston Polytechnic, and in response to a question, I simply stated the Islamic ruling on the Rushdie affair. Suddenly. my picture was splashed on the front page of newspapers all over the world next to the headline: 'Kill Rushdie says Cat Stevens (Bio)'. It is very sad to see such irresponsibility from the 'free press' and I am totally abhorred.
My only crime was, I suppose, in being honest. I stood up and expressed my belief and I am in no way apologizing for it. I expressed the Islamic view based on the Qur'an, the Prophet's sayings (peace and blessings be upon him) and the rulings of the Caliphs and renowned schools of Islamic jurisprudence.
However, that is not to say I am encouraging people to break the law or take it into their own hands: far from it. Under the Islamic Law, Muslims are bound to keep within the limits of the law of the country in which they live, providing that it does not restrict the freedom to worship and serve God and fulfil their basic religious duties (fard'ayn).
[for more taqiyya, see http://catstevens.com/articles/00013/index.html ]
Posted by: Television at July 3, 2006 3:18 PM
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/012076.php#c238454
Yusuf Islam is a muslim.
What part of, "I support Islamic Law,", says Yusuf Islam. .....don't you understand?
> Yusuf Islam
> .. what a nice man.
[my reply....]
lovely bloke xxxxx
another 'hero' figure, another Idol of men, with feet of clay.
++++++++++
May 23, 1989
Cat Stevens Gives Support To Call for Death of Rushdie
By CRAIG R. WHITNEY
LONDON, May 22 -- The musician known as Cat Stevens said in a British television program to be broadcast next week that rather than go to a demonstration to burn an effigy of the author Salman Rushdie, ''I would have hoped that it'd be the real thing.''
http://partners.nytimes.com/books/99/04/18/specials/rushdie-cat.html
++++++++++
"Salman Rushdie, indeed any writer who abuses the prophet or indeed any prophet under Islamic law, the sentence for that is actually death."
-yusuf islam
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/y/yusuf_islam.html
++++++++++
February 15, 2007
Yusuf Islam "appalled" at Rushdie's misunderstanding
Now wait a minute, Yusuf. From Contact Music, with thanks to all who sent this in:
YUSUF ISLAM, the artist formerly known as CAT STEVENS, was "appalled" when newspapers accused him of calling for SALMAN RUSHDIE's head on a platter.
.......In other words, Rushdie should only be killed in a Sharia state. He is apparently saying that he only opposed the death fatwa because Rushdie lived in England, where Sharia was not in effect. He nowhere says that there should be no death penalty for blasphemy.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015280.php
++++++++++
Interview by DEBORAH SOLOMON
New York Times,
07 Jan, 2007
[Q:] "So would you say you have contempt for a terrorist group like Hamas?"
[YI:] "I wouldn’t put those words in my mouth. I wouldn’t say anything on that issue. I’m here to talk about peace. I’m a man who does want peace for this world, and I don’t think you will achieve that by putting people into corners and asking them very, very difficult questions about very contentious issues."
There you have it. Yusuf Islam thinks that "peace" will not be achieved by asking people difficult questions about contentious issues.
Posted by: Khaybar Oasis at February 15, 2007 7:43 PM
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015280.php#c350650
++++++++++
February 16, 2007
Yusuf Islam and Salman Rushdie
Yesterday I expressed skepticism at Yusuf Islam's claim that he never supported the death fatwa against Salman Rushdie. Jihad Watch reader Tex emailed me this late last night:
Mr. Islam is lying through his teeth. I saw him on at least two separate occasions around '89/90 openly advocating the death penalty against Rushdie.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015294.php
++++++++++
Cat Stevens (aka Yusuf Islam) supported the Ayatollah's ruling to have Salman Rushdie killed. In the following statement, he simultaneously reiterates his support, and attempts to wiggle out using sophistry and taqiyya.
Yusuf Islam Issues A Formal Statement On The Rushdie Affair
By Yusuf Islam
March 2nd, 1989
Under Islamic Law, the ruling regarding blasphemy is quite clear; the person found guilty of it must be put to death. Only under certain circumstances can repentance be accepted.
On 21st February, I was speaking to a group of students at the Kingston Polytechnic, and in response to a question, I simply stated the Islamic ruling on the Rushdie affair. Suddenly. my picture was splashed on the front page of newspapers all over the world next to the headline: 'Kill Rushdie says Cat Stevens (Bio)'. It is very sad to see such irresponsibility from the 'free press' and I am totally abhorred.
My only crime was, I suppose, in being honest. I stood up and expressed my belief and I am in no way apologizing for it. I expressed the Islamic view based on the Qur'an, the Prophet's sayings (peace and blessings be upon him) and the rulings of the Caliphs and renowned schools of Islamic jurisprudence.
However, that is not to say I am encouraging people to break the law or take it into their own hands: far from it. Under the Islamic Law, Muslims are bound to keep within the limits of the law of the country in which they live, providing that it does not restrict the freedom to worship and serve God and fulfil their basic religious duties (fard'ayn).
[for more taqiyya, see http://catstevens.com/articles/00013/index.html ]
Posted by: Television at July 3, 2006 3:18 PM
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/012076.php#c238454
Yusuf Islam is a muslim.
What part of, "I support Islamic Law,", says Yusuf Islam. .....don't you understand?
See also....
UK Christians
who convert to Islam are feted, while UK muslim apostates face abuse,
violence and murder
".....While those who convert to Islam, such as Cat Stevens, Jemima Khan, and the sons of the Frank Dobson, the former Health Secretary, and Lord Birt, the former BBC Director-General, can publicly celebrate their new religion, those whose faith goes in the other direction face persecution."
"......Yasmin, who was raised in the North of England, has been forced out of her town once, and is now trying to resist being chased out again. Brought up in a Muslim family, she converted after having a vision of Jesus when she gave birth to her youngest son, and was baptised in her thirties.. “My family completely disowned me. They thought I had committed the biggest sin — I was born a Muslim, and so I must die a Muslim. When my husband found out, he totally disowned my sons. One friend tried to strangle me when I told him I was converting,” she said."
.......“They [muslims] are such hypocrites — they want us to be tolerant of everything they want, but they are intolerant of everything about us.”
ISLAM, and muslim clerics are deceivers, ISLAM is a death cult, all who embrace ISLAM, embrace desolation.
".....While those who convert to Islam, such as Cat Stevens, Jemima Khan, and the sons of the Frank Dobson, the former Health Secretary, and Lord Birt, the former BBC Director-General, can publicly celebrate their new religion, those whose faith goes in the other direction face persecution."
"......Yasmin, who was raised in the North of England, has been forced out of her town once, and is now trying to resist being chased out again. Brought up in a Muslim family, she converted after having a vision of Jesus when she gave birth to her youngest son, and was baptised in her thirties.. “My family completely disowned me. They thought I had committed the biggest sin — I was born a Muslim, and so I must die a Muslim. When my husband found out, he totally disowned my sons. One friend tried to strangle me when I told him I was converting,” she said."
.......“They [muslims] are such hypocrites — they want us to be tolerant of everything they want, but they are intolerant of everything about us.”
ISLAM, and muslim clerics are deceivers, ISLAM is a death cult, all who embrace ISLAM, embrace desolation.
Seek your God.
"...to turn them from darkness
to light," Acts 26:18