Translation of german interview (after NOR event)

[DiddleMingyAdams]

majikat posted a link to a german magazine (or newspaper interview.. here is a very poor babelfish translation .. sorry... here's the first part, its rather long:

" A stands for Allah "
Nearly thirty years wanted it in peace to be left - although it was a Popstar: Cat of stevens, inventor of " Morning Has Broken " and " Peace Train ". Now it is called Yusuf Islam and fights against the discrimination Islam. In the taz discussion it breaks its silence for the first time
Interview ARNO FRANC
taz.mag: Evenly you were besieged before the hotel by three dozen autograph hunters - nearly a quarter century after your last plate. Does the unbroken trubel disturb you around your person?

Yusuf Islam: It is not large trubel, but a memory of it, like my influence on the life, which was thought and perhaps also dreams of other people. It really does not disturb me, but I try to make also clear: Here am I today, and I am a result its that yesterday I was. It is a journey.

Did you arrive?

Yes, that am I. And that is today more important to me than the past. I have so much to do that I do not know at all, how I am to master all this. The work for the children, Benefiz projects, the media, the letter & hellip;

& hellip; and the music?

1995 I created, it am called my own label Mountain OF Light. In a time, since the misunderstandings accumulate themselves up over the Islam ever more, I would like to appear with the music again as a kind teacher, in order to bring to humans Islamic music and art more near. If you sound yourselves my recent songs, you will be surprised over the development of the style, the category.

Humans liked your old style completely gladly.

Recently I have in London a Benefizkonzert given in favor of the Muslim school in London, which we created before exactly twenty years. It was sells off.

It was your first appearance since very much, very long time & hellip;

& hellip; my first appearance on an English stage for 27 years. And it was great, a completely special evening.

Did you play also old pieces?

I played three new Songs. One is called " I Look, I lake ", another " God Is The Light " and the third " wind, East and west ". And then I played still " Peace Train ". The Song is very near straight before the Iraq war, to at the realities today, when there were many anti-war demonstrations. " Peace Train " is like an old locomotive, he is built for the eternity.

But for a long time you did not know, where the journey goes.

Is correct, the ticket was not free - however I knew for a long time not, where the course would bring me.

Do you feel destined to mediate between the Islam and the western world?

I do not want to be speakers of those, the Islam do not represent - to say, is important to me. But I would like to try to underline the civilizing contribution which the Islam in this world can make and already carried out.

For civilization in the sense of a enlightened middle class the Islam does not stand necessarily and everywhere.

Tunes, with splintering the Islamic world the problems did not become smaller, rather more largely. But we can give the debt to the Islam for it? That is nevertheless obvious: There are so many Islamic countries, which try all in their kind to maintain ground in this globalisierten world.

Engine of the globalization are the USA preserving you Groll against it?

I believe, which are the USA a naive people, not approximately as far developed as the European nations. Therefore they make so many errors. How far can America go? Is the world to become American? I do not believe. They must live together with other cultures in peace, only so can them prosperieren. I mean, look at myself you George W. Bush. It should not have this job, it might this job have - and everyone knows that!

Be, would how you said, Bob Dylan better president America?

No, the times changed. As it sang, " the times they acres oh-concerned ". Against the hegemony of the USA nevertheless a herb must have grown.

With nuclear weapons - like Iran? With bombs - like aluminium-Qaida?

With many humans badly one went around. And some humans react because of their frustration and Ignoranz completely unislamisch. Therefore it is important to change here the perception. The Islam is not only a message for the Arab world. The Islam is a mirror-image-ritual message. That is gladly forgotten.

And to it you want to remind?

I express that in my new Songs. A title such as " God Is The Light " - could be more profunder which? If one understood that only once & hellip;

When did you understand?

I was lucky enough the chance to have had to be able to study the Islam completely privately and without the influence of any Muslim who says to me, how I have to understand. I read simply only the Koran, completely alone.

What interested you at that time, 1977, in it?

Its authenticity. In the Bible everything of the EH gelists is interpreted, times so, times a little different. The Koran is received, as it was noted at that time. I was not a free philosopher, I had any barriers. I did not believe in barriers. Thus I did not know, why I should not read the Koran - although he was occupied with some taboos, which were justified in my culture.

Which culture was that?

Grew up I as a Christian, I admired certain aspects of the Buddhismus - and found all splendid on the point brought in the Koran.

Why did you support the Fatwa at that time against Salman Rushdie?

I do not have, that was the trap of a journalist, that was politics. I was asked within completely different framework for it, what was to happen with people, the names of God verhoehnen. And as gelehriger pupils of the Koran I rezitiert, which is intended for such cases. It is politics. And which means politics, the fate of Julius Caesar already shows us: Dolchstoesse in the backs. With the Koran, with the message Islam, which impressed me in such a way like nothing different one, does not have to do that to nothing at all.

What impressed you now so much?

The idea of the God. If you understand that, understand the universe. And you understand, why people fight each other - because they refuse itself recognizing the rule one which gives the rules of the life. I saw it as a way to the peace and to the Linderung.

For it - or for the whole world?

Particularly for my life. The Koran helped me to come on the feet and to live my own life.

As if you would not have done that before! They were a world star!

I was a Popstar and lived the life of a Popstars. But I was imprisoned in my small cap. That I would not not now and then have broken out there. I had many friends, who were not necessarily Showbiztypen - however I sat nevertheless in this cap, which made it impossible for me, with my usual, genuine, as was I to say & hellip; to step with my unpretentious even into contact. I had lost that for one while.

Many your Songs act of a mirror-image-ritual search & hellip;

Yes, I wrote times (thinks for a long time after) & hellip; it is from " Sitting " & hellip; " In emergency making love for anyones whishes /Only for that light I lake /Cause when in DEAD and lowered low in my grave /Thats gonna the only thing thats left OF ME ". That is the light of the kindness, after which I tried to align my life. Sometimes I have it missed, sometimes faded it. But it expressed the love, which I felt the life opposite.

In " Where DO The Children Play " sing you more higher the prophetische " text line They keep to on building till theres NO more room UP there ".

Yes, " wolkenkratzer fill the sky, and they build ever more highly, until there above no more place is ".

After 11 September that got a somewhat strange taste.

It was completely moved, completely moved. Other things also. Gibts the Song " Tuesdays DEAD " with the text line " Where DO you go you want NO one tons when know ", know you, that are already very, very strange (laughs). But the most interesting was, which I in " on The Road ton find Out " had written: " To Pick UP A good book ", take a good book into the hand. I am very glad that I not " the book " written that I did not commit myself there. It is completely no matter, which keeps account you there.

Thus does it go still " A million ways ton ", also for the strict Muslim?

Oh, that is nevertheless the dilemma: If we have the choice, we have also the responsibility. That is it, which many people forget, this along-feeling love for the life as such. The people go in the course of the years ever more conformal thereby which wants the world of them. They lose their childlikeness, if you want so.

They have five children. Which advice would you give to their eighteen-year old son, if it wanted to become skirt star?

I would guess/advise him to flexibility. Sometimes humans must make a choice, sometimes make them for error, and then they must learn from these errors. As long as you have a leading principle, you can create it by the examinations and problems of the life. My son wrote already some Songs, becomes still interesting that.

What has it with the Muslim school on itself, which you created in London?

There were much Blabla, but no solutions already before to this topic. There are schools with Christian religious education - and now there is also a school with Islam instruction. That is not everything, it is already Koranschule.

The Islam can be taught nevertheless in each saekularen school.

In the course of the life there is a continuous secularization & hellip; TC, how is with the religion in the school in Germany?

[DiddleMingyAdams]

oh dear, it won't translate all of the web page and its too messy a translation using text blocks
well thats some of it anyway
maybe majikat will be kind and translate the rest

[sue]

Thanks, Colleen, it's fascinating reading.

[DiddleMingyAdams]

it's a bit disconcerting to know he advises 'flexibility' on the skirt issue! LOL

[faithfullight]

Yusuf said, "I was lucky enough the chance to have had to be able to study the Islam completely privately and without the influence of any Muslim who says to me, how I have to understand. I read simply only the Koran, completely alone."

Oh, I feel like crying for joy! That is what I was shown how the Qur'an must be read. You cannot have people interpret it for you or teach you what it says because it is evident that people have varying opinions which brings division and not unity. People cannot understand God's wisdom by human wisdom. We are called to turn to God for His Holy Spirit of Truth to teach us. You have to read it with love in your heart and God will reveal its instruction to you. I just had to comment on this because it is very important to understand. I am not talking about each person having their own personal interpretation. I am talking about God sending the Spirit of Truth to those who trust and believe in God's power to teach us.

This is the same problem that there are so many different views of Christianity. The Truth is there! But people can't see the Truth of God's intentions because they are clouded by so many human views. Thus people fight over which interpretation to follow, when they were supposed to follow only God's guidance.

I love this interview. If only it were translated into the English language by Yusuf. I hope he will translate it more clearly for us to understand.

Peace,
Faithfullight

[faithfullight]

LadyD,
"Imagine", by John Lennon is very touching about how people fight over things like religion. Religion was given to guide us to live in peace and harmony as one brotherhood, to stop fighting, but we turned religion into a barrier that divides one group of mankind against another which was the opposite intention of the guidance! The sadness of religion is how people use it in twisted ways for hate and prejudice. It dumbfounds me that people can't understand that God is good, loving, kind, peace-loving, merciful, forgiving... Why would God want us to fight over superiority? Why would God want us to fight one against the other when He gave us guidance to stop this vileness of "Cain" (of brother killing brother). We are not to live a life full of hatred for our brother. Who is our brother? Who is our sister? Did we not all come from the same God? Did we not all come from the same Creator? My heart is so disgusted in the arrogance of mankind; of hate because of jealousy or intolerance, ignorance and greed. Can humans ever learn to love each other and live as one humanity?

Sincerely,
Faithfullight

[Vivian]

What a fascinating article!

Peace,Vivian

[Chris]

Thanks Colleen and LadyD.. very interesting. !

[Lucy13]

So... being thought of as a preacher gives him "unpleasant goose skin"? LOL!!

"Your wife is masked?" Sounds like they're talking about a dog breed!! LOL!!!

And what the heck is a fingernail washroom?

Sorry -- it just cracks me up! Got to get to work on a REAL translation....

[SoulOfTheRose]

ROFL! I'm sorry but these translations are very funny ;D

[Lucy13]

oh, that's so funny.... what the interviewer really says is, "Does Islam forbid the chewing of fingernails?" And Yusuf replies, "of course not!!"

Somehow "nailbiting" got translated to "fingernail washrooms". LOL!!!!

[faithfullight]

The translation is funny and it is difficult to grasp what was actually meant. That's why I hope MOL will transcribe this interview.

Yusuf said: Engine of the globalization are the USA preserving you Groll against it?

I believe, which are the USA a naive people, not approximately as far developed as the European nations. Therefore they make so many errors. How far can America go? Is the world to become American? I do not believe. They must live together with other cultures in peace, only so can them prosperieren. I mean, look at myself you George W. Bush. It should not have this job, it might this job have - and everyone knows that!

Be, would how you said, Bob Dylan better president America?

No, the times changed. As it sang, " the times they acres oh-concerned ". Against the hegemony of the USA nevertheless a herb must have grown.

With nuclear weapons - like Iran? With bombs - like aluminium-Qaida?

I don't think that any nation is without errors! I admit that our country is not perfect, but there is so much arrogant attitudes within any nation -- this is not just an "American" attitude. In universal attitudes, people are the same. All people bleed with red blood! All people have feelings of love, fear, joy and hate, etc. Each nation has pride for their country and some people are more arrogant than others within any given nation. Most people cannot conceive of what it is like to live in a different country and they were not given the opportunity to travel and experience the whole essence of a whole nation of a different culture. Has any entire nation been given this opportunity? Has any entire nation understood every aspect of every other culture? Do all Americans think alike? I should think not! Do all Americans want this war? No. Do Americans wish any harm against the general Iraqi people? NO!!! Are Americans concerned about the oppression of the Iraqi people under a ruthless tyrant? That is my concern. I want the Iraqi people to have a life without worrying if they will wake up tomorrow or be blown up by some terrorist. I want the Iraqi people to have hope and dreams to live their life without fear of being tortured by Saddam. Does the American government torture their citizens? Does the American government murder any citizen that doesn't agree with its president? Does the president hang their citizens on meat hooks and beat them nearly to death or beat the bottom of their feet to a pulp with iron rods? Does that type of cruelty justify any government to rule its people like that?

There are tapes and documents, as well as other Baath Party papers now coming to light, which do offer evidence of the ways Saddam ruled by torture and terror, how bungling and inept his regime could be, and why his evil empire was rotten at the core. People's ears were sliced off without painkillers. There is a testimony about a man who was thrown into jail with 750 men, all with bloody stumps where their ears had been.

Do all of the Iraqi people want to be ruled this way? Do they want to live in fear? Should their ruler have limitless authority and power? Is it fitting for Saddam to have gold-handled toilet plungers and gold-plated faucets while the Iraqi people starve? Should the ruler and his sons have free access to any woman as he pleases and gang rape her? Is this the kind of lifestyle that any nation has a right to inflict upon its people? Is this a life of peace? Is this the type of lifestyle that would bring joy to God?

Doesn't the Qur'an teach that oppression is evil? Do Americans want to destroy Muslims? NO!!! As an American, I know that we do not wish to convert Iraqi people into "Americans"! That is ludicrous to even say such a thing! If Yusuf thinks this way about Americans, then I am ashamed of him! This is an insult and I do not appreciate him saying that Americans want the Iraqi people to be "American". Shame Yusuf!

America is a nation of different nationalities living together as one. Sure there can be found prejudice and bigotry found within our nation, but there are many people trying to learn to overcome those tendencies. People do learn from their mistakes and people do evolve into tolerant attitudes of peace for one another. But while most Americans support the right of diversity, there are always some who refuse to learn. So Yusuf, please do not judge all Americans as wanting to dominate Iraqi culture.

Yusuf quoted:"They must live together with other cultures in peace"? Throughtout our nation, people do live together from different cultures and we celebrate the racial origins and cultures, and people are free to attend their religion of choice. I and (I would consider) most Americans do not have the attitude that we will hang out with only people of our own creed or given race. Americans live together as one nation and accept diversities. No, we are not perfect and prejudice still pops its ugly head, but we are always striving to bring awareness to these wrong behaviors and trying to build unity.

I'm disgusted that Yusuf cannot see that Americans want to bring freedom to the Iraqi people by freeing them from oppression of an evil, ruthless monster! We want each Iraqi citizen to have rights and to live respectable lives.

Faithfullight

[hummingbird]

Faithfullight said:

The translation is funny and it is difficult to grasp what was actually meant. That's why I hope MOL will transcribe this interview.

Yusuf said: Engine of the globalization are the USA preserving you Groll against it?

I believe, which are the USA a naive people, not approximately as far developed as the European nations. Therefore they make so many errors. How far can America go? Is the world to become American? I do not believe. They must live together with other cultures in peace, only so can them prosperieren. I mean, look at myself you George W. Bush. It should not have this job, it might this job have - and everyone knows that!

Be, would how you said, Bob Dylan better president America?

No, the times changed. As it sang, " the times they acres oh-concerned ". Against the hegemony of the USA nevertheless a herb must have grown.

With nuclear weapons - like Iran? With bombs - like aluminium-Qaida?

I don't think that any nation is without errors! I admit that our country is not perfect, but there is so much arrogant attitudes within any nation -- this is not just an "American" attitude. In universal attitudes, people are the same. All people bleed with red blood! All people have feelings of love, fear, joy and hate, etc. Each nation has pride for their country and some people are more arrogant than others within any given nation. Most people cannot conceive of what it is like to live in a different country and they were not given the opportunity to travel and experience the whole essence of a whole nation of a different culture. Has any entire nation been given this opportunity? Has any entire nation understood every aspect of every other culture? Do all Americans think alike? I should think not! Do all Americans want this war? No. Do Americans wish any harm against the general Iraqi people? NO!!! Are Americans concerned about the oppression of the Iraqi people under a ruthless tyrant? That is my concern. I want the Iraqi people to have a life without worrying if they will wake up tomorrow or be blown up by some terrorist. I want the Iraqi people to have hope and dreams to live their life without fear of being tortured by Saddam. Does the American government torture their citizens? Does the American government murder any citizen that doesn't agree with its president? Does the president hang their citizens on meat hooks and beat them nearly to death or beat the bottom of their feet to a pulp with iron rods? Does that type of cruelty justify any government to rule its people like that?

There are tapes and documents, as well as other Baath Party papers now coming to light, which do offer evidence of the ways Saddam ruled by torture and terror, how bungling and inept his regime could be, and why his evil empire was rotten at the core. People's ears were sliced off without painkillers. There is a testimony about a man who was thrown into jail with 750 men, all with bloody stumps where their ears had been.

Do all of the Iraqi people want to be ruled this way? Do they want to live in fear? Should their ruler have limitless authority and power? Is it fitting for Saddam to have gold-handled toilet plungers and gold-plated faucets while the Iraqi people starve? Should the ruler and his sons have free access to any woman as he pleases and gang rape her? Is this the kind of lifestyle that any nation has a right to inflict upon its people? Is this a life of peace? Is this the type of lifestyle that would bring joy to God?

Doesn't the Qur'an teach that oppression is evil? Do Americans want to destroy Muslims? NO!!! As an American, I know that we do not wish to convert Iraqi people into "Americans"! That is ludicrous to even say such a thing! If Yusuf thinks this way about Americans, then I am ashamed of him! This is an insult and I do not appreciate him saying that Americans want the Iraqi people to be "American". Shame Yusuf!

America is a nation of different nationalities living together as one. Sure there can be found prejudice and bigotry found within our nation, but there are many people trying to learn to overcome those tendencies. People do learn from their mistakes and people do evolve into tolerant attitudes of peace for one another. But while most Americans support the right of diversity, there are always some who refuse to learn. So Yusuf, please do not judge all Americans as wanting to dominate Iraqi culture.

Yusuf quoted:"They must live together with other cultures in peace"? Throughtout our nation, people do live together from different cultures and we celebrate the racial origins and cultures, and people are free to attend their religion of choice. I and (I would consider) most Americans do not have the attitude that we will hang out with only people of our own creed or given race. Americans live together as one nation and accept diversities. No, we are not perfect and prejudice still pops its ugly head, but we are always striving to bring awareness to these wrong behaviors and trying to build unity.

I'm disgusted that Yusuf cannot see that Americans want to bring freedom to the Iraqi people by freeing them from oppression of an evil, ruthless monster! We want each Iraqi citizen to have rights and to live respectable lives.

Faithfullight

Faithful, you may be proving Yusuf's point about American naivety (if indeed that is what he said) with that last paragraph. Many Americans supported the war...some wanted to free the Iraqi people from oppression, some wanted to "kick someone's/anyone's butt" after 9-11, some got caught up in the WMD passion. Believe it or not, some of these folks have actually since changed thier viewpoints in light of more recent events. Of course some have not ...

My point is, your generalizing every bit as much as Yusuf may be.

There's nothing earthshaking about what Yusuf is saying. It's a popularly held view around the world as well as in America. You may not agree...fine. But I don't understand why you would be "disgusted."

-jen.

[sasafras]

Faithful: "Yusuf quoted:"They must live together with other cultures in peace"?

FFL, I agree and do not understand this statement at all. Would he feel that we "must live together with other cultures in peace", if his homeland of England was ruled by a ruthless dictator, who delighted in gouging out children's eyes, while their parents were forced to watch? Or, see whole villages gassed & their own people killed en mass?

Faithful: "I'm disgusted that Yusuf cannot see that Americans want to bring freedom to the Iraqi people by freeing them from oppression of an evil, ruthless monster! We want each Iraqi citizen to have rights and to live respectable lives."

FFL, on the 60 Minutes TV show (before the fall of Sadam's reign), Mike Wallace was interviewing him and Sadam halted the interview & excused himself to go say his prayers. I was so shocked because the tortue he was inflicting on his own people was just coming to light.

If Yusuf wants to criticize Pres. Bush, that is certainly his priviledge, but it would have made me feel better about him, if he had also condemned Sadam & his evil sons. Surely, he cannot agree with the manner in which he ruled his people?

sass

[Turan]

Think about what Yusuf says here. Understand what a conscientious objector is.

www.yusufislam.org.uk/articlepeacetrain.htm

As a singer who sprang from a generation of highly idealistic free spirits between the 60's and 70's, I like to think the songs I wrote somehow held up an altruistic mirror to our planet's time and era. Though times have changed, it's a nice surprise to see that youthful feeling of anti-war sentiment returning once more to the cobbled main streets of Europe.

Peace Train is a song I wrote, the message of which continues to breeze thunderously through the hearts of millions of human beings and there is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again.

Thirty years later, as Yusuf Islam, I have more right and more reason to reclaim this anthem of my evolutionary Cat Stevens period, that's why I rerecorded it. As a member of humanity and as a Muslim, this is my contribution to the call for a peaceful solution to the dangerous path some world leaders today seem to be taking.



The present battle we see for global dominance, I believe, is nothing more than a clash of egos. So with Angel of War, I decided to revisit my legacy of music again and remould another old track, to reflect my thoughts and concerns about the questions to be asked of war today.

What many people don't understand is that there will always be an enemy: the egotistical soul within. The nature of Man is already prone to earthly lusts such as 'greed' and 'envy'. Together with 'pride', the three primal vices have plagued the human being since his first appearance on the bloodstained pages of Time.

Another Bosnia is not what the world needs; the devastation and suffering seen of recent history is ample evidence to support the view of every conscientious objector - of which I am one.

Let the words of the songs speak for themselves.

Peace be with you

Yusuf Islam

[faithfullight]

hummingbird said:

My point is, your generalizing every bit as much as Yusuf may be.

There's nothing earthshaking about what Yusuf is saying. It's a popularly held view around the world as well as in America. You may not agree...fine. But I don't understand why you would be "disgusted."

-jen.

How am I generalizing about what Yusuf said if he said that the USA wants to dominate other nations as if it were a fact. This is not a fact but a misunderstood conception about Americans. It is not the viewpoint of most Americans. I feel disgusted because I do not feel as Yusuf said about American attitudes. I want no part in dominating Iraq or destroying their culture and I do not appreciate anyone saying that Americans think this way. I do see the necessity of each and every Iraqi citizen to have the opportunity to live in liberty rather than bondage to ruthlessness. So then should Americans just let Saddam continue to mutilate his people like like Hitler did? Are we supposed to stop having compassion for the suffering of the Iraqi people because they want to be contolled and tortured? Do they really want that?

Peace,
Faithfullight

[faithfullight]

Yusuf said, "What many people don't understand is that there will always be an enemy: the egotistical soul within. The nature of Man is already prone to earthly lusts such as 'greed' and 'envy'. Together with 'pride'..."

Turan,
Saddam is the enemy who is egotistical with greed, envy, pride and conceited arrogance. Does Saddam care that his people starve while he lives in utmost gluttonous luxurity? Do you think that God is pleased with Saddam's rule just because he calls himself a Muslim?

How putridly sick and morbid! Show me the justice and fairness in the right for Saddam to rule his people in this way. I can't see it. That is not love. That is not living in peace, justice, compassion at all!

~Faithfullight

[hummingbird]

Faithful, I think you misunderstood me. I didn't say you were generalizing Yusuf's comments. What I was referring to was your assertion that American (or Americans?) want(ed) to free Iraq from an oppressive dictator. Sorry, I just think that is an oversimplificaton. While philosophically, yes, most people agree with this, many more people supported the war based on the perceived (IMHO) tie-in to 9-11, WMD, terrorism, etc. Sadly, there are human rights violations all around the globe...would all of America support a war, a regime change, for this reason and only this reason...I don't think so.

Yusuf was asked a question (which btw had nothing directly to do with Iraq) and he answered it. He said he doesn't think Pres Bush is the right man for the job. Whoopie. About 50% of Americans would agree with this. He didn't insult President Bush.

And if I may add, not agreeing with Bush or the current administration doesn't make one a Saddam supporter...

Just my two cents

-jen.

[Turan]

Show me were Yusuf says Saddam is right in torturing people?

People have for ages been calling contientious objectors disgusting. The idea that someone thinks violence is not the correct way to stop violence, that a peaceful solution is worth pursueing, is quite disgusting.

Muslim Peace Fellowship is kind of similar to what Yusuf is saying. www.mpfweb.org

Turan

[DiddleMingyAdams]

well put turan, and thanks for the link to remind us of exactly WHERE yusuf comes from.
he is a humanitarian, not a politician. (thank God). he says today exactly what his songs of yesterday said; he longs for a world that lives together as one. where exactly has he ever condoned the acts of saddam hussein and the thugs of 9/11? he has not. he has condemned these actions, and asked we not be mistaken in our REACTION.
disagreeing with the current administration, or any administration, does not make us supporters of saddam hussein, or terrorism, nor does it make us unpatriotic. on the contrary it takes the principles which this country was founded on and utilizes them in the way they were intended. we are MEANT to have a voice.
having met and spoken with yusuf islam, i am convinced of his continued dedication to world peace and tolerance. he is, at least, no hypocrit. his stand is well known and consistent. patriotism does not overrule the word of God for this man.
my two cents.

[that’sDOCTOR2u]

Very well put Jen.

[Turan]

Yusuf has noted a very common perception of America and Americans held by non Americans. Now it is not how I see myself. Kind of gives one pause that that is how we seem. My husband tells me of the difficulty over seas doing business because people have had bad experiences with heavy handed arrogant American business men.

I wouldn't condemn someone for voicing what he percieves about me. I might try to change so he percieves me differently.

Just because Americans are very generous does not change the other. As some one told me once with frustration, "I don't want charity, I want an even playing field."
Turan

[SoulOfTheRose]

Turan said:

Yusuf has noted a very common perception of America and Americans held by non Americans. Now it is not how I see myself. Kind of gives one pause that that is how we seem.

Turan

Indeed...I have been contemplating this (the non-American view of the US) myself...rethinking a few things these days.

[that’sDOCTOR2u]

Turan said:

Yusuf has noted a very common perception of America and Americans held by non Americans. Now it is not how I see myself. Kind of gives one pause that that is how we seem. My husband tells me of the difficulty over seas doing business because people have had bad experiences with heavy handed arrogant American business men. Turan

Interesting point Turan. My husband was in Greece recently, his third year working over there. He saw lots of 'Death to Americans' signs this last trip. I have to say that even before he told me this, I was concerned for his safety, and the safety of other Americans working abroad given the current climate. It is very sad, because I believe that Americans are good people.

[Vivian]

I've said it once, and I will say it again! Yusuf is a man with one hundred percent integrety and honesty, with a heart of gold! I trust him ONE HUNDRED PERCENT!

Peace,Vivian

[kareema113]

Salaam alaykom,

Yusuf Islam is a man and no man has 100% of any personal attribute. He does not want to be deified. This is the reason that he explored Islam in the first place.

It is very satisfying to hear him express his opinion of world affairs, etc. I commend the interviewer for 'going for the gusto' as it were.

All too often it seemed to me that he had resorted to some sort of pat 'why I came to Islam' script. If you read one interview, you have read them all.

I am American and I agree that the US appears to see global domination as a goal. The invasion of Iraq was about the destabilization of the region and had nothing whatsoever to do with WMD, 'freeing' the Iraqi people from oppression, or whatever other reason the Bush administration comes up with to whip up patriotism. Iran is the next target in the crosshairs... it has already started with nuclear inspection demands.

It all sure looks like colonialization to me. Afghanistan and Iraq today, perhaps Syria and Iran tomorrow.

Israel posses nuclear and other WMD (which they obtained from the US), yet there is no call for nuclear inspections or regime change on behalf of the Bush administration. Israel runs roughshod over the Palestinian people daily in a situation akin to an ant threatening an elephant . Saddam Hussein = Ariel Sharon. . A despot is a despot is a despot.

What is very unfortunate is that Americans themselves become judged negatively by the unfortunate recipients of Bush administration foreign policy. I lived in Germany in the late 70's and even then public opinion in Europe had turned against Americans due to the behavior of the American soldiers stationed there.

I will step down from my soapbox.

kareema

[Aisha]

I finally got to read these translations. My computer is acting all weird so sometimes it takes 15 minutes for the page to load...only at Majicat though...go figure.

About America, I think that Yusuf may be saying that often we are ready to believe whatever our President says. Many Americans do this, not all, but many. The fact is that I have serious doubt to the real motives of George Bush and why we are in Iraq. Sure, I want Suddam out of there, but is this being done really to help Iraq or other reasons? It is good to question things without following leadership blindly. We should also, no matter how much we love Yusuf, question Yusuf because he is a man and makes errors. No offense to Yusuf here, I am just saying that we can't follow everything he says out of our admiration of him. In the last year I have become a major questioner and I question everything even Yusuf. It is not that I don't respect and love him, I just realize that he is a man and I can't 100% agree with him on everything, just like I can't agree 100% with anyone. It is the way I am these days...question, question, question.

I think the article was very interesting even if I had trouble understanding the translation. Yusuf made a lot of good points. Plus, the translation cracked me up...LOL I wonder what Yusuf will think when he reads the translations...Maybe he will correct it and translate it properly so we can really grasp what he is saying. It is an interesting thing to ponder.

Love,
C

[Whisper]

I'd like to add something witty or intelligent here, but I just don't think I'm capable of doing that.
Jen and Turan I thought both of your posts were well written and gooder than what I can say

[faithfullight]

hummingbird said:

Faithful, I think you misunderstood me. I didn't say you were generalizing Yusuf's comments. What I was referring to was your assertion that American (or Americans?) want(ed) to free Iraq from an oppressive dictator. Sorry, I just think that is an oversimplificaton. While philosophically, yes, most people agree with this, many more people supported the war based on the perceived (IMHO) tie-in to 9-11, WMD, terrorism, etc. Sadly, there are human rights violations all around the globe...would all of America support a war, a regime change, for this reason and only this reason...I don't think so.

Jen, I'm sorry that it took awhile to respond. I hadn't much time to post yesterday and I knew that my response would be lengthy since there are so many posts. I only have about a half hour to get on the internet today so I won't be able to reply to everything until tomorrow.

I didn't mean to say that I support war. All I was saying is that I don't think that it helps our world by saying that the U.S.A. wants to dominate other nations. I certainly do not feel this way. I have always wished that there could be a civilized way to stop an evil dictator like Saddam. But given his record, just as soon as he succeeded President Al-Bakr in July 1979, Saddam executed at least 20 potential rivals. He didn't even permit discussion between anyone who wasn't 100% in agreement with him. And then when the Kurds and Shi'ite Muslims tried to stand up to him, he executed them with mustard gas and nerve gas and buried them in mass graves. How can the people ever get him to listen to him if he has no respect for human lives? Saddam has murdered tens of thousands of his own people with torture and humiliating atrocities. How long do we permit him to murder like that when he won't let anyone get close enough to him to try to find a cooperative way to find a solution? Suddam has ruled this way for 30 years! While we wait to find a peaceful solution, he thinks nothing of torturing his opponents with fear and pain. I can't stand the thought of innocent people caught between hostile fire, but there has to be a way to get through to Saddam because he won't stop his evil regime on his own. So, meanwhile, how many more civilians and potential rivals to his regime would be murdered while we wait if we don't try to stop him by force?

If power is taken away from him, then the people could find a good leader to rule Iraq. So, how can anyone take the power away from him without force? He certainly won't hand it over. Oh, if he only would! How do you put a rabid monster out of power while he infects people around him with poison? I wish to God that the war would stop! But if we pull out now, will Saddam go on a rampage and execute those who are trying to work for peace? Where will his rage end?

hummingbird said:

Yusuf was asked a question (which btw had nothing directly to do with Iraq) and he answered it. He said he doesn't think Pres Bush is the right man for the job. Whoopie. About 50% of Americans would agree with this. He didn't insult President Bush.

And if I may add, not agreeing with Bush or the current administration doesn't make one a Saddam supporter...

Just my two cents

-jen.

Yes Yusuf was asked a question, but he was referring to Iraq as well because it is a current event going on right now. Yusuf didn't exclude what's happening in Iraq. And yes, 50% of the American public does not agree with his tactics. I did not say that Yusuf was a Saddam supporter. Yusuf has made it clear that he is against what happened on 9/11. I know that Yusuf is against the suicide bombers. I truly believe that if the terrorists stopped murdering people, then the U.S. and the coalition forces would leave. They may not all leave immediately, because they would be wary of the terrorists attacking again if they did leave. The terrorists murdered people before the U.S. invaded Iraq, and they won't stop. The U.S. do not want to fire on any people unless they are fired on first. I only wish that the terrorists would honor the guidance of the Qu'ran, then no one would be murdered and peace could be found.


"Muslim scholar: Terrorists are mass murderers, not martyrs.
But what does Islam really say about such matters? About jihad and martyrdom? We asked Hamza Yusuf, an Islamic scholar, who said the attackers were "enemies of Islam.'' Not martyrs, but "mass murderers, pure and simple.'' Turan, I think the same way and I liked the link that you posted. This is where my heart is.

Peace,
Faithfullight

[DiddleMingyAdams]

Faithfullight said:

Yes Yusuf was asked a question, but he was referring to Iraq as well because it is a current event going on right now. Yusuf didn't exclude what's happening in Iraq. And yes, 50% of the American public does not agree with his tactics. I did not say that Yusuf was a Saddam supporter. Yusuf has made it clear that he is against what happened on 9/11. I know that Yusuf is against the suicide bombers.
Peace,
Faithfullight

just to clarify, iraq had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11. not one of the suicide bombers was from iraq. as a matter of fact, prior to the invasion of the US into iraq, the only act of iraqi terrorism in the past 20 years (at least) against the United States was the attempted assassination of former President Bush.
other than that, you will not find IRAQIS participating in these terrorist tactics.
unfortunately thousands upon thousands of iraqis have died as a result of this war, in addition to the thousands upon thousands who died during the hussein regime and the sanctions against it, preceding this war.
saddam hussein is an evil man, of that there is no doubt. i don't want to die, however, for the sins of another. too many iraqis have. and please lets stop perpetuating the 9/11-iraq connection. they are two completely separate issues.