Cat / Yusuf mentioned in the News or Anywhere

[SuzieQ]

The Reed - Is a Poem (see running order from editor's desk in Those Great Concerts thread)

[SuzieQ]

LINK to YUSUF ISLAM IGNORES BARE-HEADED WOMEN

Errors and my comments are in bold type

Muslim singer YUSUF ISLAM reportedly refused to speak with the female guides at a German event over the weekend
(24-25MAR07) WRONG it was on the 22nd because they weren't veiled - despite accepting an honour for building bridges between Eastern and Western cultures. The star, formerly known as CAT STEVENS, received a special prize at the Echo Awards last night (25MAR07) in Berlin for his musical, social and political work and was praised as a bridge-builder between the West and the Islamic world. However, when the FATHER AND SON singer, 58, rehearsed his appearance the day before the prize giving (24MAR07), he acted rather narrow minded, according to German publication B.Z. When the hostesses approached Islam, who arrived with his management and his veiled Does not wear a veil! wife FAEZIA, couldn't even spell Fauzia's name right! telling him that they were his guides, he simply ignored them and didn't even take a look at the women. Islam's manager explains, "Mr Islam doesn't speak with women except his wife. Least of all if they don't wear a headscarf. Things like that only happen via an intermediary." Somehow. I DON'T THINK SO!

What a load of rubbish this is!!!
If this were true, we would never had been allowed to meet with him backstage! Will they stop at nothing to sell papers!!!
What a wonderful world these reporters live in. Make it up and print it!!! Must be such a Wonderfully Rewarding Job!!!

[Vivian]

Reporters must have a new talent no one was ever aware of. They know how to read minds. BULL RUBBISH is right! I know first hand that Yusuf is a genuine sweetheart.

Peace,Vivian

[SuzieQ]

Here are two comments made about this so called article.


screen name:Manager ( 1)posted on 27/03/2007 10:41

comments: I am Yusuf's manager. I was with him at the awards. This story is totally nonsense, perpetrated by idiots who want misunderstanding and conflict to dominate the agenda. Yusuf's wife was not veiled. Yusuf talks to any women who cares to talk to him. He signed autographs and chatted to all, including the
many women who had waited at the airport and hotel for hours to see him. Whilst filling in this comment box, I notice that there is a warning discouraging 'Posting inflammatory comments (commonly referred to as "trolling").
Persistant xenophobia, racism or personal abuse directed at anyone.' such a
shame that this lofty ideal can't be linked to the articles on this decrepit
site.



screen name:Rubylove ( 1)posted on 27/03/2007 11:13

comments: The original story is clearly fabricated. there are countless events - recorded and photographed, showing that Yusuf Islam is not constrained in the way that the story suggests. Anything for a headline!!!!

[Chris]

I read this earlier this morning, and now have seen so many news mags have jumped on the bandwagon. I read this with such sadness, since I know it isn't true. He has met so many of us with out head veils in the recent past.

Thank Goodness for Yusufs manager coming in and setting the record straight. Sadly, none of the other new magazines will even take Marcs post in to considerations when they write their slanderous articles.

[Lucy13]

What slime!

I too am sick of the endless perpetuation of these "same old-same old" stories online. These so-called journalists with their cut-n-paste errant, idle fingers. And it's not just the fabrications that are annoying... it's the unoriginality that's annoying. A little off the subject, but how many places can we read the same story over and over again via the Google machine? What a waste of pixels! It's downright dull.

[kareema113]

Actually many Westerners do refer to the headscarf as a "veil", so Sr. Fauzia is indeed "veiled" in this sense. The manager is referring to the fact that Sr. Fauzia does not wear a face veil (niqab) which is how many Muslims define the word "veil" in opposition to headscarf (hijab).

Kareema

[Vivian]

Well, then, Yusuf does indeed speak to women not wearing headscarves. I mean, I met him twice, as did many members right here who can attest to that. So, in that sense, this journalist either needs to get his/her eyes examined, or he/she claims to be able to read minds-that is assuming that for any reason Yusuf did refuse to speak to them(perhaps the women in question were rude). How on Earth would the journalist know the reason why Yusuf did or did not associate with them; unless the journalist just wanted to cause trouble, which seems to be the pattern with many journalists these days.

Peace,Vivian

[bonfire]

It never ceases to amaze me why jerks like this are allowed to print such fabricated crap!!! I mean what is the point, other than to stir up hate and discontent that has no basis in fact? You would think people could find something better to do with their time…. Sorry just had to vent…

Bon

[kareema113]

bonfire said:

It never ceases to amaze me why jerks like this are allowed to print such fabricated crap!!! I mean what is the point, other than to stir up hate and discontent that has no basis in fact? You would think people could find something better to do with their time…. Sorry just had to vent…

Bon

Thhis type of journalism is the rule rather than the exception when it comes to Muslims. I'm sure Br. Yusuf is as used to it as I am.

He might have been having a bad day or a million other things in regards to what actually happened... but of course his behavior was viewed through the lack of knowledge that many have regarding Islam.

We were informed the other day at work that any reference to Easter in our workplace (decorations, etc) had to be removed. Someone had complained. Thank God the people who work in my department knew that I would never do such a thing. But a supervisor was indeed asked if I was the one who was intolerant.

It's the Muslims' turn to be the demonized minority right now. So when you are confronted with this mentality, please do what I asked my teammates to do. Enlighten people one-on-one as to their positive experiences with a Muslim.

Kareema

edited for typo

[kareema113]

Perhaps this will help get the bad taste of that other article out of your mouths.

Interview with Yusuf Islam
"To Be, You Must Give up What You Are"
www.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-310/_nr-364/i.html

or this...

The musical idol of many religious Muslims is Yusuf Islam alias Cat Stevens, who converted to Islam in 1977 and then for religious reasons took a break from his music career for many years. The assumption that Islam prohibits music, however, is disputed among Muslim experts and scholars alike.

"Some Islam scholars have always claimed this throughout history. But nowhere in the Koran is there a prohibition against music, neither explicitly nor implicitly," says Anes Sabitovic, a Bosnian-born teacher of classical guitar and a music journalist for the Islamische Zeitung, an Islamic newspaper in Berlin.
www.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-587/_nr-22/i.html

[Turan]

O, Thank You Kareema! That website is great fun to meander through.

[marier]

I must have been dreaming then that I recently met Yusuf at Porchester Hall with three other majicat women friends. I must have also dreamt that all of us were without veils and had a lovely conversation with him and even had our photos taken with him

[HardheadedSofthrtd]

marier said:

I must have been dreaming then that I recently met Yusuf at Porchester Hall with three other majicat women friends. I must have also dreamt that all of us were without veils and had a lovely conversation with him and even had our photos taken with him

Guess we had the same dream. Conversation, photos, autographs and handshakes. What a misogynist! ROFLMAO

I've posted a comment on some of the blogs and news sites that have picked up this "story", but have been unable to do so on contactmusic or littlegreenfootballs, which is a shame since they have higher readership than some of the others. Anyone else have any luck with these two?

-Joanne

[Vivian]

Hey, don't feel bad ladies. I had an identical dream back in Feb 2001 and before that in May of 2000! Man, don't dreams seem so real, LOL

Peace,Vivian

[Lucy13]

littlegreenfootballs... oh, that's a nasty place.

[Vivian]

I'm trying to post a comment, but I am not getting my E Mail verication so I can get my responce posted. Must be missing something.

Peace,Vivian

[kittycat]

I was there along with Vivian and many others at UCF on February 26 2001 and Yusuf was the kindest sweetest man you could ever meet. His warmth was totally genuine he signed our autographs posed for pictures and answered all of our many questions. Most of us there were not veiled and yes we were all treated with the utmost of respect! I do not believe even one word these reporters are fabricating.

Take Good Care,
Kitty (Cheryl)

[SuzieQ]

[The Sun Newspaper Link]


Meanwhile YUSUF ISLAM — previously known as CAT STEVENS — is on track to make the Top 40 with his 1971 track Wild World.

A cover of the song was used on Channel 4’s trendy teen drama Skins.

Fans flooded message boards to find out who did the original and are now downloading it like mad. ;D

[Ce]

suzieq said:

The Reed - Is a Poem (see running order from editor's desk in Those Great Concerts thread)

Is this possibly "The Reed Flute's Song" by Rumi?
Yusuf read a few verses from this poem at a lecture I attended.

Rumi's writings are so dear to me...


Listen to the story told by the reed,
of being separated.

"Since I was cut from the reedbed,
I have made this crying sound.

Anyone apart from someone he loves
understands what I say.

Anyone pulled from a source
longs to go back.

At any gathering I am there,
mingling in the laughing and grieving,

a friend to each, but few
will hear the secrets hidden

within the notes. No ears for that.
Body flowing out of spirit,

spirit up from body: no concealing
that mixing. But it's not given us

to see the soul. The reed flute
is fire, not wind. Be that empty."

Hear the love fire tangled
in the reed notes, as bewilderment

melts into wine. The reed is a friend
to all who want the fabric torn

and drawn away. The reed is hurt
and salve combining. Intimacy

and longing for intimacy, one
song. A disastrous surrender

and a fine love, together. The one
who secretly hears this is senseless.

A tongue has one customer, the ear.
A sugarcane flute has such effect

because it was able to make sugar
in the reedbed. The sound it makes

is for everyone. Days full of wanting,
let them go by without worrying

that they do. Stay where you are
inside such a pure, hollow note.

Every thirst gets satisfied except
that of these fish, the mystics,

who swim a vast ocean of grace
still somehow longing for it!

No one lives in that without
being nourished every day.

But if someone doesn't want to hear
the song of the reed flute,

it's best to cut conversation
short, say good-bye, and leave.

Rumi

[kiki]

suzieq said:

Here are two comments made about this so called article.


screen name:Manager ( 1)posted on 27/03/2007 10:41

comments: I am Yusuf's manager. I was with him at the awards. This story is totally nonsense, perpetrated by idiots who want misunderstanding and conflict to dominate the agenda. Yusuf's wife was not veiled. Yusuf talks to any women who cares to talk to him. He signed autographs and chatted to all, including the
many women who had waited at the airport and hotel for hours to see him. Whilst filling in this comment box, I notice that there is a warning discouraging 'Posting inflammatory comments (commonly referred to as "trolling").
Persistant xenophobia, racism or personal abuse directed at anyone.' such a
shame that this lofty ideal can't be linked to the articles on this decrepit
site.



screen name:Rubylove ( 1)posted on 27/03/2007 11:13

comments: The original story is clearly fabricated. there are countless events - recorded and photographed, showing that Yusuf Islam is not constrained in the way that the story suggests. Anything for a headline!!!!

[SuzieQ]

Yusuf Islam's Manager Refutes 'Veil' Allegations

2007-04-02 19:05:07

LONDON, April 2 /PRNewswire/ --

Yusuf Islam's manager Marc Marot has refuted allegations that his client refused to speak to non-veiled women at the Echo Awards in Germany on the night of Sunday 25 March as reported by some media. He describes the allegations surfacing on the internet as 'baseless and stupid' - especially as millions of people have seen Yusuf being interviewed by women on television during the course of the last decade. Link to full Article

At the moment he's in a London edit suite with BBC TV director Janet Fraser Crook and producer Serena Cross working on the edit of the BBC Sessions concert recently filmed in London. These are not the actions of a misogynist.

It would seem that certain sections of the media feel that for every good news story featuring a Muslim, a balancing bad news story must be invented to maintain the level of ignorance that surrounds the Islamic faith."

[Vivian]

suzieq said:

Yusuf Islam's Manager Refutes 'Veil' Allegations

2007-04-02 19:05:07

LONDON, April 2 /PRNewswire/ --


It would seem that certain sections of the media feel that for every good news story featuring a Muslim, a balancing bad news story must be invented to maintain the level of ignorance that surrounds the Islamic faith."

How sad but very true.

Peace,Vivian

[Lucy13]

suzieq said:

Yusuf Islam's Manager Refutes 'Veil' Allegations

All right!!

[bonfire]

JUST NOTICED THAT YUSUF ADDED THIS TO THE CHINESE WHISKERS SECTION ON MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT!!!

Does Yusuf Not Speak to Veil-less Women?

The accusation that I do not speak or interact with ladies who are not veiled is an absurdity. Only misinformed or unenlightened people with heads buried for the last decade - missing a plethora of my TV and public appearances proving otherwise - would repeat such junk.

Reality is often different from the media’s lust for a good headline. It’s true that I have asked my manager to respectfully request lady presenters from embracing me when giving awards or during public appearances, but that has nothing to do with my feelings or respect for them. Islam simply requires me to honour the dignity of ladies or young girls who are not closely related to me, and avoid physical intimacy, however innocent it may be.

My own story with regard to women’s rights really began when I became a Muslim. Following my acceptance of Islam, I immediately returned to London to look after my mother. Soon after I married and within a year had the great news of a baby girl, we called her Hasanah (meaning, good or beautiful). God has blessed us with four daughters and two sons (one son died in infancy), and I have always been an advocate for girl’s education. My four daughters all follow the basic wearing of clothes which modestly cover their God-given beauty. They’re extremely well educated; they do not cover their faces and interact perfectly well with friends and society. My eldest, Hasanah, runs a record company in Dubai and my second eldest, Asmaa, is training to be a solicitor.

According to the Last Prophet, “Women are the twin halves of men."[14] He also said, "Heaven lies at the feet of your mother." In the Qur'an, when we read the story of Adam and Eve, at no time do we read that blame is attached to a section of humanity, i.e. women, for the fall of man; the fact is that the responsibility was ultimately born by both, equally.

The reality is that my honour and respect for women has only increased with
Islam and my acceptance of my wife's rights. It was after all at my wife's
request that my manager was told to caution ladies, during TV appearances
or gatherings, from kissing me or getting too close - veiled or not!

[flemmishfangent]

Awel Fauzia is very rightly that she request that his manager should caution all the lady's not to embrace Yusuf.
You see how easy they talk bad in the press.But sad for them here on majicat we now better.Regine

[SuzieQ]

No mention of this on Yusuf's site

*OUTSTANDING SONG COLLECTION: Yusuf Islam*



*Singer Romeo Stodart wants to work with Yusuf Islam*

The singer, who presented his idol Yusuf Islam (also known as Cat Stevens), with the Outstanding Song Collection gong at the Ivor Novello Awards yesterday (May 24), also admitted that he'd love to collaborate with his hero, who he has jammed with in the past.

He added: "It would be cool because we got along really well. It would also be a big deal to work with him to me because I've grown up listening to his music. Just getting to meet the man himself and play the guitar with him in the studio was a real honour for me."

[marier]

I think a duet with Yusuf and Romeo Stoddart would be great! I first saw The Magic Numbers in concert about 2 years ago and have since been to three more of their concerts and met Romeo and the rest of the band ;D As well as being a great singer/songwriter he is a thoroughly nice guy.

[izitso??]

that's happened on 24th may i have just heard about it, maybe an old info

Yusuf receives Ivor Novello award

arts.independent.co.uk/music/news/article2581219.ece

The info is on yusuf's site too!!

Linda

[withacat]

the info appeared in his blog today
got an e-mail - so youre right, no mistake about that