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Post by Vivian on May 17, 2003 22:40:13 GMT -5
Dear Yusuf,
Just a quick note to let you know that we support your decision to bring legal action against GQ magazine! Sometimes one just has to stand up and speak out when someone slanders your name, and, we, votre loving amis, are proud to do just that! We are behind you all the way, Yusuf, whatever you decide! We love you!!
Peace,Vivian
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Post by Aisha on May 18, 2003 11:12:46 GMT -5
I second that Yusuf. No one should be allowed to slander and defame another person's character whether he be a famous ex-popstar or the man who collects the trash. People need to learn to respect each other and if a court battle helps shut up some mouths so be it.
Love ya,
Crazy ole A'isha
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Post by Vivian on May 18, 2003 14:09:28 GMT -5
Many of us would love to be there in person, Yusuf, right in the courtroom, showing our support, but since we can't, we will be there in spirit--EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!!!
Peace,Vivian
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Post by Aisha on May 18, 2003 14:44:06 GMT -5
Vivian, we would be thrown out of the courtroom because we would be cheering too loudly for Yusuf...  Love, A'isha |
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Post by Vivian on May 18, 2003 14:55:39 GMT -5
Yeah, you sure are right about that!! LOL But, lets hope he doesn't get JUDGE JUDY as his Judge!! Although, she sure is a RIOT!!
Peace,Vivian
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Post by Aisha on May 18, 2003 17:11:04 GMT -5
I hope he could get Judge Mablean. She would be excellent, unless all she does is divorce law. Love, A'isha |
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yukas
Katmandu Member
Posts: 85
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Post by yukas on May 18, 2003 18:38:36 GMT -5
He has been endured many things,and has been misunderstood in many matters. He has many things that hasn't said and kept silence. Now, Truth must appear,and Truth must be strong. Truth is stronger than Falsehood,history shows it. Truth will remain,but Falsehood will fade.  And as you agree,our Yusuf is a man of Truth!! ;D I'll add the cheers with you,Vivian and Aisha. Peace and Love,Yukas |
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Post by DiddleMingyAdams on May 19, 2003 8:28:34 GMT -5
hopefully the threat of litigation will be enough and he won't have to go any further than that.
seems like maybe that worked with mtv, as now the only reference to him i can find on the 10,000 maniacs (how appropriate a name eh) biography page is 'peace train is no longer included on this album"
;D
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Post by Vivian on May 19, 2003 9:24:22 GMT -5
hopefully the threat of litigation will be enough and he won't have to go any further than that. seems like maybe that worked with mtv, as now the only reference to him i can find on the 10,000 maniacs (how appropriate a name eh) biography page is 'peace train is no longer included on this album" ;D I'd like to believe you're right, Colleen! But I just don't know! Maybe Yusuf needs to carry this through right to the end, if only to set an example to all future people who thrive on Yellow Journalism, that if they sell garbarge, they will have to pay the price! Then, the settlement from the case, will go to Small Kindness! That, to me, is the only good that can come from that terrible article! Peace,Vivian |
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Post by Aisha on May 19, 2003 12:31:15 GMT -5
Hasn't Yusuf sued before, long ago. I recall some article about it at the US website. I think that Yusuf needs to carry one lawsuit until the end and then maybe people will leave him alone, but it is doubtful. He will still have those lurking around putting out false information through the internet; but maybe people won't take the ones online who slander him seriously if the magazines don't reinforce the false info.
But even the threat of lawsuit can make people shut up. I know a woman who was telling everyone lies about me. I went to her and told that if I heard one more rumor I would see her in court (and I meant it too). I never heard any new rumors about me after that. It worked. Hey, people don't know if you will follow through or not and decide to shut their traps.
And Vivian, if he won there would be tons of money for Small Kindness. I remember when Carol Burnett sued "The Enquirer". The settlement was in the millions.
Love,
A'isha
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Post by Vivian on May 19, 2003 20:55:08 GMT -5
Hasn't Yusuf sued before, long ago. I recall some article about it at the US website. I think that Yusuf needs to carry one lawsuit until the end and then maybe people will leave him alone, but it is doubtful. He will still have those lurking around putting out false information through the internet; but maybe people won't take the ones online who slander him seriously if the magazines don't reinforce the false info. But even the threat of lawsuit can make people shut up. I know a woman who was telling everyone lies about me. I went to her and told that if I heard one more rumor I would see her in court (and I meant it too). I never heard any new rumors about me after that. It worked. Hey, people don't know if you will follow through or not and decide to shut their traps. And Vivian, if he won there would be tons of money for Small Kindness. I remember when Carol Burnett sued "The Enquirer". The settlement was in the millions. Love, A'isha Yes, Yusuf sued one time that I have knowledge of! It was back around 1980 or 81! Right after the Iran hostage crisis was over, THE GLOBE, came out with this GARBAGE about Yusuf moving to Iran to be a street begger and to follow Khomaini! Yeah, I NEVER believed that one either, and I spent YEARS wondering how I could ever let Yusuf know that I believed in him, and not in that TABLIOD TRASH!! If I remember, the settlement was $5,000! Yusuf needs to follow this through to the end, this time, with the LOVING SUPPORT of SES AMIS!! Peace,Vivian Peace,Vivian |
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Post by Aisha on May 19, 2003 22:56:07 GMT -5
You know Viv, I have an interview on tape of Yusuf talking about that Iran thing. He was rather light-hearted about it. I may have sent it to you. I remember sending you a cassette full of Cat stuff and I don't know if I sent that part of the cassette. Remember the tape I sent with the live cut of "Foreigner Suite"? I think it may be on there. He was lecturing at some college and talked about it. It was before or after the Dolly Parton thing.
Love,
A'isha
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Post by Vivian on May 20, 2003 9:32:21 GMT -5
Yeah, SIS, you did send that to me! I remember when that horrible article came out! I was standing in line at the supermarket, and happened to spot the GLOBE cover, and there was that DISCUSTING headline!
Peace,Vivian
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Post by Aisha on May 20, 2003 12:31:24 GMT -5
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Post by Vivian on May 20, 2003 22:20:34 GMT -5
Yeah, I DID get a laugh when I announced loudly, in front of the store, holding up that article, "BOY, THIS WOULD LOOK GREAT PAPER TRAINING MY DOG!!!"
Peace,Vivian
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.:|Andrea|:.
Moonshadow Member
Time rise, Time fall...
Posts: 309
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Post by .:|Andrea|:. on May 20, 2003 23:12:06 GMT -5
WHOA! SOMEONE PM ME! WHAT DID I MISS?  Andrea |
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Post by kareema113 on May 21, 2003 8:25:35 GMT -5
Salaam alaykom and greetings,
It appears that some progress has been made in this arena as well, since Br Y has ceased to be considered a topic at one site I monitor. Peculiar too... since the content of the information discussed at that site was remarkably similar to that mentioned in the GQ article.
I would like to add that there is most likely some grain of truth in the views set forth in GQ. Having some sort of contact with those now considered to be terrorists does not mean that one is to be considered a sympathizer.
If this were so, then several US administrations would need to do a lot of justifying to me as to why the likes of Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein were actively supported by the US when it served the purpose.
Peace,
kareema
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Post by Vivian on May 21, 2003 13:20:18 GMT -5
That's great, Kareema! And you know, I know which site that is, also! I noticed it too!
Peace,Vivian
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Post by faithfullight on May 21, 2003 13:25:03 GMT -5
I would like to add that there is most likely some grain of truth in the views set forth in GQ. Having some sort of contact with those now considered to be terrorists does not mean that one is to be considered a sympathizer. Kareema, I listened to the radio interview yesterday, that is posted on CatSteven.com by Angelsea. Towards the last quarter of the interview, Yusuf admitted that he was an AID in attendance to Jihad and Taliban meetings. He didn't say very much beyond this, but I think that he was trying to say that he did not support their cause just because he was an aid. I am confused as to what he actually meant. What was he doing there if he didn't support their views, etc.? I wish he would clarify this better. I know sometimes people get involved with activities and groups that we think are doing the right things because we believe that they think as we do about certain issues. Then later, as we become more closely involved, we find out that people have varying opinions and goals which are not the same as ours. All members within an organization do not have the same ideas and people disagree and argue about what is right. I feel that Yusuf may have attended meetings and people linked him as believing as those who are extremists and who are now known to be terrorists. I don't believe that Yusuf follows the views of the terrorists. But, I do worry about his association with anyone who is a terrorist. They may harm him. I couldn't stand for Yusuf to be harmed. And they may influence or force him to participate in something that he does not wish to do. If this were so, then several US administrations would need to do a lot of justifying to me as to why the likes of Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein were actively supported by the US when it served the purpose. Peace, kareema Yes, you are right. We can't judge people entirely on their past decisions. There are mitigating circumstances and views that we were not aware of, that if we had known the whole truth, we may not have made choices that we had made in the past. Even if Yusuf did attend these meetings, this doesn't mean that he agreed with them. How many meetings or gatherings have we all attended and found out that we do not agree with their views! How do we understand another view, if we don't listen to them first? I am very supportive and happy that Yusuf clearly indicated that he does not support any terrorist activities and that he donated money from "The boxed set" to help the victims from the 9/11 tragedy in New York. His actions are what we need to look at to see what his heart believes. But, it is difficult to understand him fully if he remains so secretive and silent about some issues. At a time like this, people need to hear positive stories from peaceful Muslims who do not bear any ill will towards other people or non-Muslim communities. Too many people fear the unknown of who really is a terrorist. Their guards are on high alert and unfortunately, innocent people get pointed out to be the enemy. I've stood up for people in the past to prevent the innocent from being attacked or slandered. But how do I absolutely know what those people whom I defended, actually thought? I felt that they were innocent, and that they were unjustly accused. But still, there is a margin of not knowing their heart because I had not witnessed the event that they are accused of commiting. Unless there is proof of ill deeds, then we can't go around blaming others for what they might "think". That is ludicrous and paranoid! --An unjust cause to further bring chaos and disunity among our world! Faithfullight |
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Post by Aisha on May 21, 2003 15:07:45 GMT -5
Hi Faithful. How are you? I hope you are doing well. There is a girl at another forum who talks about similar experiences as yours and she reminds me a lot of you.
You know, we all have been around someone who has is associated with some 'not-so-savory' groups without realizing it. I had a friend who explored Satanism for a couple years. I warned her about it being a dangerous thing, but she had to find out for herself. Did that make me a supporter of Satanism? No, it didn't and just because Yusuf came in contact with the Taliban that doesn't mean he supported them. Hey, in the beginning I thought the Taliban had good intentions, then I learned about them. I think that is the case with most people and I feel that this should not haunt a person for the rest of his/her life. It is all part of a growing process.
You know, sometimes people tend to be way too judgemental. People need to concentrate on themselves and their own actions before trying to correct someone else's actions.
And Kareema and Viv, I still haven't read anything in the website you are referring to. Life is too short for such negativeness.
Love,
A'isha
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Post by Vivian on May 21, 2003 17:27:05 GMT -5
Well SIS, I would rather not mention the name of that site here, but in the past, it had a whole forum filled with slandering Yusuf!! We all know who runs that site!! Anyway, that forum is now completely gone! It IS about time!!
Love ya,Vivian
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Post by Aisha on May 21, 2003 17:34:44 GMT -5
Vivian, that is fantastic news.
Love,
A'isha
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Post by faithfullight on May 22, 2003 7:07:23 GMT -5
You know, we all have been around someone who has is associated with some 'not-so-savory' groups without realizing it. ...just because Yusuf came in contact with the Taliban that doesn't mean he supported them. Hey, in the beginning I thought the Taliban had good intentions, then I learned about them. I think that is the case with most people and I feel that this should not haunt a person for the rest of his/her life. It is all part of a growing process. You know, sometimes people tend to be way too judgemental. People need to concentrate on themselves and their own actions before trying to correct someone else's actions. Love, A'isha Hello A'isha and all! We all make mistakes and we can't point fingers when others goof up when we make mistakes as well. But, I do worry that anyone who has connections to unsavory groups as extreme as terrorists, may be in hot water without realizing it. I think of the terrorists like Hitler in a way. Hitler exterminated anyone who disagreed with him or had a possible opposing view from his. It scares me to think that Yusuf is that close to anyone associated with terrorism. I am very uneasy for his welfare. Like I said, he may be forced into doing something that he doesn't want to do. Terrorists use fear and death to motivate people to do the unthinkable. How do we rid our world of these atrocious despicable people! How do we turn their hearts around to refuse to terrorise people with their insanity? How can we get through to them that what they are doing is not the will of God? They are all brainwashed! Faithfullight |
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Post by kareema113 on May 22, 2003 10:10:30 GMT -5
Salaam alaykom and greetings,
Since we are on the topic of terrorism, I think that for myself it is important to have a basic understanding of the region itself. I began to have a glimpse into just how differently others may view the Middle East when I married an Arab journalist. I am sure that A'isha will join me in assuring you that sometimes it seems to me that my husband must have resided on an entirely different planet before he came to the US, instead of on the other side of the world. Actions deemed appropriate in his world are sometimes repugnant and incomprehensible to me and the reverse is true for him. Let me say that I am in no way condoning the actions of terrorists, just stating that those from the region may view the acts very differently.
Terrorism is therefore in the eye of the beholder. Osama Bin Laden was considered a 'freedom fighter' while fighting to free Afghanistan from Soviet rule, however when the attacks were directed at the US, he then became a terrorist. The Taliban were welcomed in Afghanistan as an alternative to the lawlessness of tribal 'government'. 'Taliban' means 'students' and that is what they were, students of religion... not civic planning, engineering, administration, economics or social services. They were ill-equipped to run a nation.
Conversely, there are those who consider Iraq to be an 'occupied' and not a so-called 'free' nation today. I have seen many instances on ArabTV of the current US administration being likened to the Third Reich. It seems that most of us are willing to agree that Hitler was a terrorist.
Add to this that the conflicts in the region are decades, perhaps centuries old. It appears to me that for my husband the Crusades and subsequent domination of Jerusalem happened only yesterday. He comes from an ancient area, the Cradle of Civilization. It appears that we upstarts in a newborn nation only 2 centuries old judge time in a totally different manner.
In my opinion, there is literally no way for a Western revert to be able to sort out the entire situation without very careful study, since many of the issues are cloaked in religious teachings, which may in themselves be actual Islam or more often that not, cultural adaptations. Br Yusuf is no exception to my assumption.
If he attended meetings that are now considered to be those of terrorist organizations, why must it be assumed that he supported the aims and methods? I watch Al-Manar, a channel broadcast by Hamas, in order to attempt to understand ALL sides of the issues in conflict. Does this act make me a sympathizer?
Or am I as Br Y appears to be, guilty until proven innocent? His actual 'crime' against the West appears to be his reverting to Islam and subsequent rejection of what he deemed the 'star machine'. For this, it appears, he is not to be forgiven.
Peace,
kareema
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Post by Aisha on May 22, 2003 11:32:02 GMT -5
Kareema, I know exactly what you are talking about. Things I find totally appalling in Hamdi's culture are exceptable to him and he is appalled by stuff he sees in our cultures. It does seem like we came from separate universes at times. I think that is why many women who marry Arab men have more marital struggles. It isn't because either of the parties in the marriage are bad or anything like that. Both parties enter marriage with good intentions, it is just that those differences sometimes get in the way. It has taken eleven years of marriage for Hamdi and me to arrive at a place where we can tolerate some of these differences.
And Faithful, it is good to worry about terrorist groups because they do deceive innocent people and use brainwashing to gain allegience from a person. It is a terrible thing when you see young men like Danny Walker getting their entire lives destroyed because they got confused by some manipulative people who use their zeal to learn to make them weapons. Many people hate Danny Walker because he is considered a traitor to the USA. I just think he was a young man who got brainwashed and lost his way. Even if he is ever free to walk the streets again he will never be free because his name will always be associated with being a traitor.
The problem (it really isn't a problem but I am wording it that way) is that Yusuf is a tolerant person, very openminded. This sort of thing can get a person accused of consorting with all kinds of things, especially if that person invokes a religion like Islam which has its share of nutcases. I sometimes wonder if John Walker Lindh fell into the group he got involved in because he was young, learning, and felt accepted. It could have been a young Yusuf Islam if Yusuf wasn't as sharp as a tack.
In the Middle East many do view the entire situation differently than we do in America, from the Israeli/Palestine thing to the thing in Iraq. I don't participate in most conversations with the Arabs I know because it is too much of a delicate situation, but I can say that they do view things differently. Their news reports report the information differently and I also lived over there and saw the nightly news on Jordan 2 television. The interpretation of things are different. To some over there, the ones we call terrorists are considered heroes. I am not saying this is right and I am not putting anyone down but the West is often viewed as an oppressive bully. I don't feel this way and don't condone it in any way, but I have also talked to people who have lost children in their families and their land. They believe we are oppressors because their news reports it that way. Just like we have people in our country who wave their flag and believe every morsel of information that CNN and MSNBC put out you have those in the Middle East who believe every tidbit that comes out of Al Jazeerah.
Back to Yusuf, he had to seek many avenues to learn what is right. Part of being open minded and tolerant is to be open to study any philosophy and see what it is about. Then a person can make the deductions based on the reality of it, the feelings of the heart, and the logicalness of it all. To question and inquire is to learn. It does not mean that we support anything, it just means we don't slam doors shut before we know what is behind them.
Love,
A'isha
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Post by Aisha on May 22, 2003 12:13:05 GMT -5
forums.tolerance.org/bin/motet?show+-ug4WShThis is a discussion about the world's view of the USA. You might find it interesting. Warning, it is pages long, a discussion that has been going on for almost a year now. Love, A'isha
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Post by Turan on May 22, 2003 13:02:44 GMT -5
Back to Yusuf, he had to seek many avenues to learn what is right. Part of being open minded and tolerant is to be open to study any philosophy and see what it is about. Then a person can make the deductions based on the reality of it, the feelings of the heart, and the logicalness of it all. To question and inquire is to learn. It does not mean that we support anything, it just means we don't slam doors shut before we know what is behind them. Love, A'isha Very nicely said. That neccesity of exploring and inquiry and listening open minded to many sides is also applicable the the subject of Yusuf. That forum you so despise, Viv, is why I give Yusuf the credince I do. If all I heard was the mantra he is a wonderful person I would be extremily suspicious. Especially seeing as I heard Yusuf say things that can easily be interpreted as harsh, unkind, and opposite the values that I hold dear, and felt portrayed in earlier music. Through listening carefully and talking and not allowing myself to be polarized I have grown to feel that Yusuf Islam is a man of great complexity and genuinily striving to be a positive force in this world. I did not come to that conclusion here or at CS.com but by talking it through on Faithbridge. He deleted those forums right after a discussion with me about his role in CScom. I do not know if that is a coincedense. I suspect he at last came to his own conclusions and lay the matter to rest, at last. I wish for him peace. I felt him to be going through the phases of mourning. Turan |
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Post by faithfullight on May 22, 2003 13:21:51 GMT -5
Kareema,
I hope that you realize that I am not saying that Yusuf supports those groups. And I am not against Islam. I am very proud of Yusuf Islam for rejecting the life of the "image" of popularity and fame. I have open arms toward Yusuf and Islam. But, I also see problems in this religion as I see problems in other religions. We were all created by God and no one is perfect. We have all made mistakes. There are extreme fundamentalists in all branches of religion, and this is what I wish to avoid being in contact with. There are peaceful, believers in all branches of religion, which each division of religion seems to overlook. We're not supposed to be in a war of religions! We're in a war because of the evils of deception and arrogance, vanity, manipulation, dominance, hate, bigotry, etc.
A'isha >
A'isha,
I understand why people have a conflict, but no one will listen to each other. People who uplift their religion above others will choose the way of destruction toward others because they view the others as rebels or enemies of their religion. We all need to realize that we all came from the same source and God loves all of us. We are still fighting among kin! Mankind is kin to all of mankind. We view religion as "ours versus them", when religion was intended to bring us together in harmony. Those who are not coming together in peace and harmony are not understanding the precepts of their religion. Those who fight for dominance are the extreme fundamentalists which exists in each branch of religion. They are not bringing peace, they are on the opposite side of bringing division and chaos. Zealot Christians are as bad as the zeolot Muslims, etc. They're doing the same thing but they view the other as the enemy for doing what they do themselves!
I am in opposition to the terrorists in all religions! None of the religions are clear of fanatics of destruction.
Faithfullight
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Post by Aisha on May 22, 2003 14:51:35 GMT -5
I am in opposition to the terrorists in all religions! None of the religions are clear of fanatics of destruction. Faithfullight I totally agree with this statement. And in religion it isn't supposed to be 'them or us' but we. We are all on this Earth together and should realize that we aren't so different. Once I told a Muslim that I had some Jewish and Christian friends and I got raked over the coals. Why? I don't see anything that different in these three religions--they basically teach us how to live. I think that the formula that they possess is the key to world peace. It is pretty amazing that Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (May Allah's peace be upon them all) taught an identical message. And terrorism was not included in any of these prophets' teachings. I think that the main word is love. Love, A'isha |
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Post by Turan on May 22, 2003 22:12:15 GMT -5
I agree to a certain degree. Kama is as off the wall as Vivian. I managed to hold public conversation on those forums exploring Yusuf Islam. I even managed to change his opinion on some particulars (mostly jamaat, possibly about education). The important thing is not Kama's opinion but that there were people, like Nate and me, who used those forums to come to our own conclusions using the freer discussion forum of Faithbridge. Kama may be off the wall on this subject but it was possible to talk about the very idea that Yusuf is a less than perfect human being. This was not possible anywhere else then (admittadly I did not seriously test these waters then, I got that impression reading here). No matter what else we may see or hear, we had no place to discuss those matters. How am I to figure out how valid something may be in a vacuum or being told repeatedly that Yusuf is a warm generous man and now shut up?
By mentioning mourning I was refering to something I noted last summer there. Kama has built this idol of CatStevens and when it did not match to Yusuf Islam he felt betrayed and flew to the opposite extreme. Kama has other over the top opinions and woe to those of us who ignorantly manage to stumble into them. Seeing as my first posts (Arrogant America) landed square in one, you can see that I am willing to see the positive possiblities even though it gets aggravating. Faithbridge is more than Kama.
Turan
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