Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) to take legal action

[mhollis]

Many forum attendees know that UK citizen Yusuf Islam was denied entry to the US and was sent back on 22 September. Today the BBC reports that "a legal process had been put in place to find out what had happened."

Islam stated, "I was not given (and have still not been given) any explanation as to what it is I am accused of, or why I am now deemed an apparent security threat.

"I was simply told that the order had come from 'on high'."

[DenverDem]

1. As he should.

How far away are we from a new HUAC debacle. "Are you now, or have you ever been a Muslim?"

[AspenRose]

2. "On high...."

from almighty Brother Ashcroft.

[saigon68]

44. That's the REVEREND BROTHER ASHCROFT

The minister who "CASTS OUT DEVILS"


LOL

[sundancekid]

3. maybe he'll ride "Peace Train" right up the A$$croft place w/o sunshine!

[displacedtexan]

4. Ah, but Cat Stevens is guilty of...

having an opinion about Salman Rushdie!

Don't you remember?

His comments in 1989 concerning Salman Rushdie after the publication of Rushdie's novel The Satanic Verses provoked controversy. During this time period an Islamic fatwa (religious ruling) was issued, holding that it was an obligation of Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie. Yusuf Islam publicly stated that Rushdie was indeed guilty of blasphemy against Islam, and Rushdie deserved to be killed. This led to a public outcry, and a drop in record sales. In response to this criticism, Yusuf Islam has since clarified that he believes that a death sentence can only be carried out by the authority of a court in an Islamic society, and that he is opposed to anyone taking the law into their own hands by murdering Rushdie.

http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Cat_Stevens

[louis-t]

12. I'll say it again

for those of you who weren't listening before. Yusef Islam NEVER said he agreed that Rushdie deserved to die. He NEVER offered an opinion on the "Satanic Verses" book. The media put those words in his mouth. I researched this at the time and found out the truth. The reporters asked him questions like "What does 'fatwa' mean", and he tried to explain it to them. Remember, this was 1989 and most Americans were pretty ignorant of Islam. They sought out a high profile Muslim and started grilling him. This man is now, and always has been, a PEACE activist. He has supported schools for poor children in Muslim countries, and is involved with 3 charities. He has preached peace, condemned terrorist attacks (he is one of few Muslims to do so), gives much of his income to helping victims of war and genocide, and sets a great example for Muslims everywhere. He is not a terrorist so stop saying that.

[shadu]

14. thank you for setting the record straight

you obviously know your Cat!

[gottaB]

15. say it as many times as you want, it won't make it true

Yusuf Islam did endorse the fatwa calling for the death of Salman Rushdie, not just once, but on several occasions:

http://www.juancole.com/2004_09_01_juancole_archive.html#109592379002363404

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=844254#844849

Now, instead of admitting that he advocated assassination and apologizing, he argues that he has been the victim of media distortions. That tells me that Yusuf Islam is both hateful and dishonest.

You may believe that he is being truthful when he says that he has never *knowingly* supported terrorists. I for one am not going to take his word for it.

[IIgnoreNobody]

18. better link

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.''

The singer, who adopted the name Yusuf Islam when he converted to Islam, made the remark during a panel discussion of British reactions to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's call for Mr. Rushdie to be killed for allegedly blaspheming Islam in his best-selling novel ''The Satanic Verses.'' He also said that if Mr. Rushdie turned up at his doorstep looking for help, ''I might ring somebody who might do more damage to him than he would like.''

''I'd try to phone the Ayatollah Khomeini and tell him exactly where this man is,'' said Mr. Islam, who watched a preview of the program today and said in an interview that he stood by his comments.
http://www.nytimes.com/books/99/04/18/specials/rushdie-cat.html

[PsychoDad]

41. Quite true.

But even if he had espoused the said opinion, then we are denying him entrance based upon a "thought crime"?

How many of us here would be guilty of the same in the eyes of this administration?

[Eloriel]

5. Thank God.

I'm sorry it happened to him, but his high public profile is what's needed on this issue. Everyday citizens wouldn't get any publicity.

[tinanator]

52. yes and NO!

It paints the bleakest picture possible, but as you can see from the large numbers of anti-Yusuf posts right here, it plays right into the anti-muslim racist tendencies of pre-conditioned Americans. Nobody gives a fuck about the legal and civil right ramifications, they are too happy to go along with Ashcroft's publicity stunt.
hopelessly stupid.

[tom_paine]

6. That sort of thing on works in Free Nations

Imperial Amerika is no longer technically on that list.

Soon, more reasons why this is true will become personally obvious to the Imperial Subjects, who are now currently being deceived as the Roman Citizenry was when the Caesers took over.

[noonwitch]

7. He is alleged to support Hamas

If he did support them, he should not be allowed in the country. He can dance around his statement about Rushdie all he wants, but the bottom line is did he support Hamas?

[goodhue]

11. He denies supporting Hamas

He was denied entry to Israel in 1990 and again in 2000.
Shin Bet claimed he had delivered "tens of thousands of dollars" to Hamas during his last visit to Israel in 1988.
He denied knowingly supporting terrorist groups.

http://catstevens.com/articles/00203/

Former Cat Stevens Denies Hamas Aid
Associated Press
July 14th, 2000
Courtesy of Kirby

LONDON (AP) - Yusuf Islam (Bio) - formerly known as pop star Cat Stevens (Bio) - criticized Israeli authorities on Friday for deporting him and denied that he had ever knowingly supported Islamic terrorists.

Islam, 51, who changed his name after becoming a Muslim in the late 1970s, was refused entry into Israel hours after arriving Wednesday. The former singer said he was told only that he was a ``threat to national security.''

Israeli Defense Ministry officials refused to comment on Islam's case other than to say that the Shin Bet, Israel's internal intelligence agency, had ordered him barred from the country. The Maariv Daily in Israel reported that the government claimed Islam had delivered tens of thousands of dollars to Hamas, a militant Islamic group, during his last visit in 1988.

``Upon my return to London, reports were already circulating that the Israeli authorities were trying to excuse their actions by linking me to terrorist groups,'' Islam said in a statement. ``I want to make sure that people are aware that I've never knowingly supported any terrorist groups - past, present or future. It's simply an attempt to cast doubt again on my character and good intentions.''

[louis-t]

13. Don't be too quick

to believe the Israelis. I need proof. I haven't seen any.
edit my sloppy typing.

[goodhue]

26. I don't believe the Israelis

eom

[sandnsea]

16. Is aiding Ireland supporting the IRA??

What if you sent money to a group that helped Irish kids, would that make you a supporter of the IRA? Should every person with connections to Ireland's independence be banned from the US? That's how stupid this is.

[Lerkfish]

56. I dunno..I'm in the "nondeportable until proven guilty" crowd.

when you say: "If he did support them, he should not be allowed in the country. He can dance around his statement about Rushdie all he wants, but the bottom line is did he support Hamas? "

You are making the presumption he DID at the same time asking the question whether he did or not...but regardless you still imply he should not be allowed in the country, sans evidence, sans legal proceedings, etc.

(not meaning to direct this at you specifically, but you did ask a rather pointed question)

the fact is, the current administration feels it needs not to justify, explain or prosecute cases in order to exact punishment. Take heed you don't fall for that arrogance yourself. Demand proof before you accept this administration's take on ANYTHING.
The amount of times they have actually been truthful is too small to measure.

[emad]

8. Careful! There are some very strong suggestions in the UK that

"Cat's" surprise booting out of the US may be part of a larger sting that has netted cocaine dealers, money launderers and their banking conduits to what is euphemistically called the Real IRA....



Miao! I think the Pussy doth protest too much and trying to sue Tom Ridge/Homeland Security/FBI/whatever will prove to be a vast and very costly mistake.

[sandnsea]

17. Ah hell, that was fast

Anglo Protestant control. Now we're getting down to it.

[Big Swing]

48. Make the case

They need to make the case against him and not just rely on their "list." He has a right to defend himself.

[emad]

9. The Guardian: "A baseless slur"................

Yusuf Islam acts over US 'slur'

Simon Jeffery
Friday September 24, 2004

Yusuf Islam, the former pop star previously known as Cat Stevens, said today he had begun legal action over what he called the "baseless slur" of the refusal to grant him entry to the United States.

A statement from his lawyers said he wanted to "find out exactly what is going on, and to take all necessary steps to undo the very serious, and wholly unfounded, injustice which I have suffered".

Mr Islam was detained and questioned by the FBI on Tuesday after the Washington-bound United Airlines flight 919 was diverted to Maine. He said he was told his name was on a no-fly list and sent back to London.

"The amazing thing is that I was not given, and have still not been given, any explanation whatsoever as to what it is I am accused of, or why I am now deemed an apparent security threat - let alone given an opportunity to respond to these allegations," the statement said. "I was simply told that the order had come from on high."We have now initiated a legal process to try to find out exactly what is going on, and to take all necessary steps to undo the very serious, and wholly unfounded, injustice which I have suffered. I am a man of peace and denounce all forms of terrorism and injustice; it is simply outrageous for the US authorities to suggest otherwise."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1312291,00.html

Overconfident and smug....hope he knows how expensive litigation can be...

[sattahipdeep]

23. "God's earth"

Overconfident and smug.... :shrug:

Mr Islam said the most distressing thing was being separated
from his daughter, Maymanah, with whom he had been
travelling.

"What makes the situation even more distressing is the fact that
I have now been prevented from entering the United States - a
part of God's earth that I love and whose people have always
been great friends to me," the statement said.


"Yet, after all this, I can think of no better response than by
continuing what I believe to be the tremendously important work
of caring for the needy and campaigning for peace and stability
in this volatile and increasingly violent world, and at the same
time try to seek to clear my name of this appalling and baseless
slur."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1312291,00.html

[moondust]

10. Good.

This will elevate awareness of the totalitarian nature of this garbage to the international level more so than when it happens to thousands of "unknowns".

Somebody remind the boneheads "on high" not to forget to wipe their asses.

[Zorra]

19. Cat Stevens: Peace Train and Angel of War:

http://www.yusufislam.org.uk/audio/peacetrain.shtml

[mitchtv]

20. one less fundamentalist

He has no rights, he is not a citizen(non resident alien) Let him sue. I have no sympathy for westerners running around dressed up.Sure I like his music, but fundamentalists are undesirables.

[goodhue]

27. Non resident aliens have rights.

And westerners are free to dress however they please in the USA (and the UK). This isn't France after all. Personally, I have no sympathy for westerners running around in cowboy hats and cowboy boots--undesirables one and all.

on edit: Cat Stevens dressed up--has he no shame :shrug:?

[mitchtv]

33. they only have rights when they are here

he is not

[goodhue]

34. he was here (in Maine) when he was detained and deported

Cause of action presumably relates to treatment while in US.
No wrong has been alleged for his treatment when not here.

[DrWeird]

36. What kind of bigoted bullshit is that?

'I have no sympathy for westerners running around dressed up."

He has no rights because he's a devout muslim? This sounds like just the kind of thing we accuse fundamentalists of saying.

[Bridget Burke]

53. What a steaming pile of crap.

Let anybody dress any way they wish. I may well disapprove--"What Not To Wear" is one of my favorite shows--but anybody anywhere has the right to look just as silly as they care to.

P.S.: I never cared for his music, even back in the day. But this thing was handled badly.

[Lerkfish]

57. oh, for a minute I thought you were talking about Falwell.,,:)

I got my hopes up for no reason.
Or is the fundamentalist Pat Robertson?
Gee, if its open season on fundamentalists, mind if I make a list?

[bahrbearian]

21. Ashcroft heard that Stevens was to meet with Tommy Chong

to develope a new Bomb.. opps I mean Bong.

[VegasWolf]

22. Regardless of what Cat may/may not have said of Rushdie's literature --

it is orthogonal to the point. If we start denying access to
America simply because one is a religious fanatic, then what
do we do with idiots like Falwell(sp) ( his statements about gays and 911 ) that are already here? One second thought ...

[gottaB]

24. it is not tangential

It speaks to his credibility, and whether he in fact supports terrorism.

Secondarily, it speaks to the issue of presenting an image of Islam to the rest of the world. Yusuf Islam's friends and supporters claim he represents moderate, mainstream Islam, not religious fanatics. Religious fatwas against authors, however, severely limit the free expression of Muslims, and lead to a distorted perception of Islam. Indeed they do violence to the message and practice of Islam.

It's not just about Rushdie. Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz, for instance, was knifed in the throat after a fatwa was issued against him by Omar Abdul-Rahman. Authors such as Nawal El-Saadawi and academics such as Nasr Hamed Abu Zeid have been persecuted by clerical authorities.

If one is examining the claim that Yusuf Islam represents the pussycat face of Islam, one must consider the implications of his support for the fatwa against Rushdie (taking into account all of his various endorsements and repudiations), and weigh that against his advocacy for the young and vulnerable.

[FredScuttle]

25. Where/when did he support the fatwa against Rushdie?

I'd love to know because this man has been smeared for years with this false claim.

[gottaB]

29. it is not a false claim

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x861893#862422

[FredScuttle]

37. Okay

I guess his formal statement at the time should just be ignored:

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). One must not forget the ruling in Islam is also very clear about adultery, stealing and murder, but that doesn't mean that British Muslims will go about lynching and stoning adulterers, theives and murderers. If we can't get satisfaction within the present limits of the law, like a ban on this blasphemous book, 'Satanic Verses' which insults God and His prophets - including those prophets honoured by Christians, Jews as well as Muslims - this does not mean that we should step outside of the law to find redress. No. If Mrs. Thatcher and her Government are unwilling to listen to our pleas, if our demonstrations and peaceful lobbying don't work, then perhaps the only alternative is for Muslims to get more involved in the political process of this country. It seems to be the only way left for us.

The fundamental issue which has put the non-Muslim world at loggerheads with Islam, is not that of the book or attempts to ban it. Indeed it is encouraging that many non-Muslims, including the Archbishop of Canterbury endore the request of Muslims that the Blasphemy Law be extended to cover the Islamic faith. When Jim Allen's play 'Perdition' was harassed out of existance by angry jews - some of whom burned an effigy of the writer - the British reaction was muted. The present attitude of the Government and press is obviously as a result of their opposition to the Islamic legal ruling that Rushdie should be executed and the fact that it has come from an Islamic country.

The fact is that as far as the application of Islamic Law and the implementation of full Islamic way of life in Britain is concerned, Muslims realize that there is very little chance of that happening in the near future. But that shouldn't stop us from trying to improve the situation and presenting the Islamic viewpoint wherever and whenever possible. That is the duty of ever Muslim and that is what I did.

[gottaB]

40. No, it should not be ignored

It should be viewed as dishonest, irresponsible, and ultimately hateful. Yusuf Islam was not criticized because of a conspiracy between the media, Jews, and the government of Great Britain, as he implies. He was criticized because he said things that were tantamount to advocating the murder of Salman Rushdie.

He claims he was merely elucidating a point of Islamic law. That claim is contradicted by the statements I cited, which came from his own mouth.

What does Yusuf Islam mean by wanting to "improve the situation and presenting the Islamic viewpoint"? Does he mean preaching tolerance, explaining the pillars of Islam and the prophet's message, or does he mean the viewpoint that apostate novelists should be killed?

[VegasWolf]

28. My point is that if Cat is refused access to America

simply based on his endorsements or repudiations about
Rushdie's literature, then we have truly lost the 1st and
the Patriot Act has won. If the Homeland Security has
other evidence, then I guess that will come out in the trial.
I'm not a fan of either one, except I did like Cat's songs.

[gottaB]

31. Not Rushdie's literature, but his life and his freedom

Does that bring it in to perspective?

[VegasWolf]

32. No, we have nut cases here that say publicly that they want to

kill, for example, gays, liberuls, etc. Saying
is one thing, acting is entirely something else.

[gottaB]

35. I provided examples where action has been taken

And of course you know there is a line between, for example, condemning abortion and advocating the murder of doctors who perform abortions. The latter is both morally reprehensible and illegal in the US.

Personally I would like to see prominent religious leaders in the US held accountable when they cross that line. Less prominent purveyors of hate are occaisionally brought to justice, as they should be.

http://www.splcenter.org/legal/legal.jsp

[DoNotRefill]

55. Ummm...

since when did the First Amendment apply to people overseas?

Don't we have a right as a country to control who gets into the US?

[Richardson08]

30. We got Cat Stevens and Martha Stewart so who needs Usama and Zarqawi

[kwolf68]

38. My wife said

He gave money to Hamas and therefore should be scrutinized. I don't know if this is true or not, but I would certainly suggest anyone giving money to Hamas should be questioned. My question is...DID HE give money to that outfit?

--Sorry to add this to the bottom...i saw a discussion above about this.

So there is no proof he gave? Just allegations...Now that is bullshit.

[TexasSissy]

39. I heard reports that he was denied entry because Israel had denied

him entry because he was a contributor to Hamas, a terrorist organization. If that is true, the authorities acted correctly. We do not need muslims who contribute to terrorist organizations flying into the country, esp. after they recently tried to enter Israel! Is that a red flag or what?

I have no use for this guy, anyway. Years ago, he left the "capitalistic" ways (with a few not so nice comments) to go practice his faith. Okay. Good enough. He's free to do that. But now, what has happened? He's running out of money, so he wants to come back to get more $$$ from the infidels, so he can go back to contributing to his "charitable" organizations?

He's a weird dude. If he gave to a "charity" that is also a terrorist org., then he needs to be deported tout suite. Like he was.

[goodhue]

42. He denies supporting Hamas.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x861893#862251

[TexasSissy]

43. I read your link (well, the link that your link pointed to).

Cat Stevens does not deny supporting Hamas. He denies "knowingly supporting terrorist organizations." Hamas, as I understand it, does not admit it is a terrorist organization. It says it is a charitable organization, doesn't it? Others who have contributed to in the past have also said that they contribute to Hamas, not to a terrorist organization.

Notwithstanding, the authorities cannot afford to have a discussion with muslims on airplanes about details of why they are on a list. They probably have to provide a reason to American citizens at some point in time (unless the Patriot Act changed that), but are they required legally to explain to a foreigner who wants to visit why they are on a no-visit list? I don't know.

I don't like a lot of things about Israel, but they are pretty experienced about this terrorist business. They have been better at keeping terrorists out of their airlines. If they refuse Stevens entry because he's on a terrorist list, I'd listen, that's for sure. Our primary concern is not letting in sympathizers to the muslim terrorists, not hurting Cat Stevens feelings or denying him entry to cut a record. He can cut a record in London and sell it here, if he wants.

[anarchy1999]

47. As far as I'm reading and what little I know Hamas is much like

what used to be the Black Panthers. They were/are a militant orginazation within their communities trying to lift their people up. From what I have read they (Hamas) have tried to do more good than bad. If you read the history of the Black Panthers, it will all start to sound way too familiar.

[peacetalksforall]

45. He can hire eleven lawyers, but there is one easy answer to it all.....

The day before the flight diversion, Asa was on TV spinning the public on the news from the day prior to his gig...Ashcroft wants the airlines and the public to give them all the information on every traveling person. Asa is trying to tell us that their are holes (my words) in terrorist watching.

They needed a celebrity to push the passenger idintification plan. They had to show that someone on their watch and stop list slipped through the system. So, improvements are needed.

Well, every arriving international passenger has had their profile data collected and transmitted to the U.S. Government for way over a decade. There is no way that they couldn't match his name before he boarded. He had to board and be 'repatriated' with a lot of hoopla so that they could advance their plan.

[emad]

46. The UK press is staying silent on this one but Cat Stevens WAS

implicated in a number of police enquiries in the 80s and 90s connected to child prostitution, pedophile porn and giving alibis to others subsequently convicted for child sex offenses.

No information as yet whether he is on any non-UK Home Office-whitewashed list of suspects but the whole souped up persona of "Yusuf Islam" has been seen by many in the UK music industry as a beard for another personality altogether.

[muriel_volestrangler]

49. Those are very serious accusations

for which you ought to provide some evidence, or withdraw them.

Let us be clear, DU: we have absoultely NO evidence for the accusations in the above post. Do not believe ANYTHING in that post unless some evidence is shown.

[papau]

50. The source of the porn/child crap is Fox News via "Mancow" who

said Yusuf has a "rap sheet" that had solicting a prositute on it - and then implied the porn crap.

As Yusuf is a major fighter against this child and porn stuff - I suspect Fox is as full of crap as always.

As the son of a Swedish mother and a Greek Cypriot - Yusuf - also known as Cat - did indeed appear on a UK Tevelvision panel in the first week of the fatwa against Rushdie and his book, and did indeed defend the fatwa, with Kalim Siddiqui and Yusuf Islam telling a Channel 4 UK TV producer on the show who said he might produce something based on the book that the sentence of death on Rushdie would extend to all those who forwarded his book in any way, it seems the statement that Yusuf made a weak response to the Rushdie Fatwa seems to be a real fact.

But bottom line, it seems from all I know/read/googled that Cat Stevens is one heck of a nice guy!

[sattahipdeep]

51. It is intimidation.

"The problem is that this list has no public
accountability: People don't know why their names are
put on or how to get their names off," said Jayashri
Srikantiah, an attorney with the American Civil
Liberties Union of Northern California. "We have
heard complaints from people who triggered the list a
first time and then were cleared by security to fly. But
when they fly again, their name is triggered again."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2002/09/27/MN181034.DTL

Time magazine, in its on-line edition, quoted
aviation sources with access to the "no-fly"
list as saying there is no entry on the list
under the name "Yusuf Islam," but that there
is a "Youssouf Islam" on the list. They said
the incorrect name was added to the list this
summer.

....
"The only reason I could come up with is that the FBI
is reactivating their old anti-war activists' files," said
Oden, who protested the Vietnam War as a young
office worker in Washington, D.C. "It is intimidation.
It's just like years ago when the FBI built a file about
me and they called my landlord and my co-workers. . .
They did that with everyone in the anti-war movement."

[Bridget Burke]

54. If the UK press is staying silent...

Does that mean there's no supporting evidence anywhere at all?

Another member of the money-laundering IRA paedophile gang!