|
|
Post by robinssong on Dec 3, 2003 20:02:14 GMT -5
Please check out Yusuf's site: On December 5th Yusuf will be a guest on the site "IslamOnline". It's a live dialogue - 'A Conversation with Yusuf'. Site visitors can submit their questions already half an hour before and also during the Q&A session. According to the updates the dialogue runs from 13:00 to 15:00 GMT, the site "IslamOnline" gives another time, 12:30 to 14:30 GMT - so better start sending your questions at 12:00...   yusufislam.org.uk/index.shtml Love, Sanna |
|
|
|
Post by Vivian on Dec 3, 2003 21:04:50 GMT -5
That's 7:30AM, here in Florida, and even though I am off, I can't tie up the phone for two hours at that time of day! I will probably pop in and try to get a question in, and then listen to the show, during the archives, later during the day! It sure is to be very interesting!
Peace,Vivian
|
|
dottie
Katmandu Member
Posts: 62
|
Post by dottie on Dec 4, 2003 1:30:19 GMT -5
I really don't understand this. Will Yusuf be answering questions by phone? I thought this might be like a "chat room", in which the guest answers questions. Like when a TV news program announces that <such & such> will be online in the chat room for an hour after this show, to answer your questions?
Oh well....
dottie
|
|
|
|
Post by boneheadedwoman on Dec 4, 2003 1:52:03 GMT -5
I will probably listen to the show, during the archives, later during the day! It sure is to be very interesting! Peace,Vivian Me too, if that's an option. I saw archives listed, but do they generally get the programs up so quickly? Boy, he sure is busy lately! I wouldn't be over jet-lag from the South Africa trip yet, if I were him! (Perhaps there isn't a big difference in times between London and Cape Town. ?) No wonder he waited till his kids were grown up to get back in the spotlight! Very sensible! |
|
|
|
Post by Turan on Dec 4, 2003 2:54:09 GMT -5
Todays Q&A is up to read. So I don't think there will be much or any wait. It is all in text.
|
|
|
|
Post by boneheadedwoman on Dec 4, 2003 14:06:43 GMT -5
Oh good! Thanks Turan! I'm home in bed today, so as soon as I take my daughter to school, I'm going to curl up with that. |
|
|
|
Post by boneheadedwoman on Dec 4, 2003 18:49:03 GMT -5
OK, I admit it. I'm a computer dunce. Where is the text? And, how do you get access to the audio? Help!  |
|
|
|
Post by boneheadedwoman on Dec 4, 2003 18:55:37 GMT -5
Sorry! In my enthusiasm, I lost a whole day! Boy, I need to get a life!
|
|
|
|
Post by Vivian on Dec 4, 2003 22:16:22 GMT -5
I don't think I can get online that early. Not while we are still living with Hairy's parents. It may be my computer, but it is their phone line. But I will try to get on to at least post a question, but I don't think I will be able to, until about 815, after Hairy leaves for work! We'll see. I DEFINATELY won't be able to listen to the whole interview at that hour!
Peace,Vivian
|
|
|
|
Post by kareema113 on Dec 4, 2003 23:45:20 GMT -5
There is no audio to this 'live dialogue' and from what I see from the archives of previous dialogues, there is no conversation per se.
The online 'audience' submits questions in written form, which the guest speaker then answers as time permits.
It is something on the order of a press conference where the press asks the speaker to comment on a particular topic.... only done with the written word.
Since the site is Islamically oriented, the subject area will basically referring to Islam, I would imagine.
Peace,
kareema
|
|
|
|
Post by Vivian on Dec 5, 2003 11:26:25 GMT -5
I just read the interview! WONDERFUL! Unfortunately, due to computer problems, I couldn't get online this morning, but I recognized many MES AMIS! I ESPECIALLY love the MES AMIS question that Sue asked! Thanks Sue!
Peace,Vivian
|
|
Chris
Oh Very Young
Posts: 0
|
Post by Chris on Dec 5, 2003 11:44:31 GMT -5
No PC problems here.. I was just still to comfy in bed to bother to get up, and I couldn't come up with a question I wanted to ask that sounded OK.....  Anyway, I just finished reading the Q&A and was pleased to read the nice questions some Majicat users asked and others. It was nice to read Yusufs answers. Interesting educational question, Turan! SUE, yusuf answer to you was to funny! I think you better start looking for a good Sushi Restaurants!  Christine |
|
sue
Oh Very Young
Posts: 0
|
Post by sue on Dec 5, 2003 13:17:50 GMT -5
The questions and answers were really interesting, and yes, Christine, we have a five star Sushi restaurant here in town........ |
|
|
|
Post by Vivian on Dec 5, 2003 14:30:53 GMT -5
Did anyone see Kitty's(Cheryl) question and Yusuf's answer! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!
Peace,Vivian
|
|
|
|
Post by SoulOfTheRose on Dec 5, 2003 17:57:55 GMT -5
Great questions asked by the site members! I enjoyed reading the dialogue. I liked what he said about "warming up" for possible future concerts (or something like that)...  Maybe I'll get to see one someday after all. The only thing that disappointed me about the dialogue was that he seemed to be a tad vague in answering Kareema's question.  Maybe he didn't have an answer for it, I don't know...or maybe it wasn't the answer I was looking for. Great question though Kareema. |
|
|
|
Post by Lucy13 on Dec 5, 2003 19:30:05 GMT -5
Just read the entire transcript. Very, very nice. He really seems to be coming back into his prime once again. I think he handled all the questions with great intelligence and wit. (In the past, at times his responses to questions have seemed a bit "canned" .... but here he sounded very relaxed and truly sagacious). (and a little more "open" ... understanding... and openminded). Good for you, Yusuf. My respect for you has grown even more.... I hope to participate if he does another one of these... ! |
|
|
|
Post by Angela66 on Dec 5, 2003 23:19:15 GMT -5
Chatting with Yusuf was grand fun Thanks Yusuf! Love, Angela |
|
|
|
Post by Vivian on Dec 5, 2003 23:21:06 GMT -5
According to the bottom of the interview, there should be another one in a few days! Hopefully, the next one, I will be able to get a question in!
Peace,Vivian
|
|
|
|
Post by Katmandu on Dec 6, 2003 8:45:36 GMT -5
I think Yusuf was much more comfortable with these
questions than he would have been with a member of
the press. This was the real Yusuf, in my opinion.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vivian on Dec 6, 2003 11:28:07 GMT -5
I agree, Brad. That's because the questions were asked by Yusuf's "MES AMIS!"
Peace,Vivian
|
|
|
|
Post by kareema113 on Dec 6, 2003 19:25:20 GMT -5
Br Y was communicating with people from all over the world. It is my experience that many have no idea at all that he had an entirely different way of life before Islam. To them, he is
Yusuf Islam. Period. Not Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens.
The Western media tends to categorize him for who he once was and not who he is now.
I would imagine it was refreshing to field a wide variety of questions and not be asked about dating Carly Simon... again.
Peace,
kareema
|
|
|
|
Post by Turan on Dec 8, 2003 17:52:29 GMT -5
I found this very interesting. Some were so worried about him performing and some begging for more.
I thought he answered rather well considering the publicness of the forum. He reminded me to keep an eye on the larger and long term picture. I think he said much the same to Kareema. I kind of expected him to send me to something at IBERR, it was really to big a question for this.
Thought I would note that Marty makes some fine sushi.... and our table is round. ;D
I am enjoying many of the other sessions there. Just now there is one happening on Iraq's constitution process.
Turan
|
|
|
|
Post by kareema113 on Dec 10, 2003 18:42:35 GMT -5
Salaam,
I agree with you, Turan. I think he did remind us that we need to focus on the big picture, kind of like I 'can't see the forest for the trees'.
I have been mulling over his answer to me and I think perhaps he overestimated my understanding of Islam as a '3 year old' revert.
I received "I Look, I See" yesterday and am captivated by it. As I listened to the title track, I was reminded of the whimsy of the 'Tea for the Tillerman' era.
I think that perhaps he could have replied...
"I work, I work, I work, I strive...
To make something of my life.
I seek, I seek, I seek, I find...
I find another hill to climb.
And everything we do
We dedicate to You,
Cause You made us,
We are for You.
I look, I look, I look, I see."
"He sent the Prophet to show us the Way.
He made religion Perfect that day.
Peace be upon him, upon him we pray.
Salatu (A)llah(i) wa 'sa-salamu alayh(i)".
OK, Br Y, I 'get it'... at least for now.
peace,
kareema
|
|
FJSimon
Katmandu Member
"Like drywood takes to fire the truth will come to you."
Posts: 75
|
Post by FJSimon on Dec 14, 2003 10:38:01 GMT -5
Can anyone who is a Muslim tell me why it is immoral to play guitar and not percussion instruments. After just discovering CS's early music and finding that I identify with so much of it so totally, I am surprised to hear Yusuf saying that that style of music is immoral. I hear nothing immoral in it. I find early Cat music extremely uplifting and life affirming.
FJS
|
|
sue
Oh Very Young
Posts: 0
|
Post by sue on Dec 14, 2003 10:50:19 GMT -5
FJ, I'm not a Muslim but I have followed Yusuf for a number of years as Cat Stevens and Yusuf Islam.
Yusuf's early music as Cat Stevens is on the whole, life affirming and uplifting. He did not say it was immoral. He said some songs he recorded back then were immoral by his standards today in the Islamic faith. He has said that using some instruments other than percussion can sometimes be overwhelming to the message of the music, and that some music is immoral. He's also said that in Islam the view he follows is to use percussion only. I would venture to guess this is where he is most comfortable with his conscience, his faith and his way of life today. He has said that there are different schools of thought throughout the Islamic teachings as to whether or not other instruments are allowed. He chose the way best for himself. He's come up with some very interesting styles, hasn't he?
|
|
|
|
Post by kareema113 on Dec 14, 2003 16:23:41 GMT -5
Salaam, In addition to Sue's excellent response, I would like to add that there is only one instrument referred to by name in the Holy Qur'an. It is the duff, that large flat drumhead thing that Br Y plays.  Since it is a percussion instrument, it has been concluded by some scholars that only percussion is permissible in Islam. If you will journey over to the MOL Forum, you will find a thread there discussing this subject in depth. In fact, there is a link to a scholar who feels that only the duff is permissible. There is a wide range of views on this subject. Br Y chooses to allow only percussion instruments in accordance with his personal interpretation, however he does also use computer-generated sound, as on "A is for Allah'. I assume that you have already read the IslamOnline Live Dialogue transcript since you are posting on this thread. Br Y discusses the music issue several times there. He appears to be becoming the 'go to' guy for the music in Islam issue. As far as the lyric content in CS songs being 'immoral'... Sex outside marriage is not permissible in Islam. 'Dating' is not permissible in Islam. Alcohol consumption is not permissible in Islam. Of course, many CS songs concern these subjects. You will note that in revisiting some of his CS songs, Br Y has chosen to edit or rewrite the lyrics. 'Lady D'Arbanville' has become 'Angel of War'. I believe that the entire first stanza of verse was deleted in the 46664 performance of 'Wild World', although the sound wasn't particularly good during the initial moments of his performance. 'Ooh, baby, baby' in the refrain was changed to some other word I can't quite catch, although I initially understood it to be 'Ooh, father, father'. I too enjoy the 'early' CS songs. Cat Stevens seemed to speak to my younger soul and I made my first footsteps on 'The Road to Find Out' which has resulted in my journey on the Straight Path of Islam. peace, kareema |
|
|
|
Post by Lucy13 on Dec 14, 2003 18:16:29 GMT -5
A little off the topic here, but I still think Morning Has Broken would make (or would have made) a *great* song for the type of performance he just participated in. It really is not specific to Christianity at all. Esp. when the words, "where His feet pass" are substituted with "where God has passed" (as I see it written in my church missal). Wouldn't it be sweet (and very poignant) to hear Yusuf sing that one again?? ;D ;D Imagine how the audience would cheer... It's a much more specifically spiritual (religious) song than Wild World or Peace Train. And I'm sure he could come up with some FANTASTIC voice-only arrangement for MHB. |
|
|
|
Post by Vivian on Dec 14, 2003 21:33:11 GMT -5
I have a hunch that some day he will, Lucy! Peace,Vivian |
|
|
|
Post by Vivian on Dec 14, 2003 21:33:53 GMT -5
I have a hunch that some day he will, Lucy! Peace,Vivian |
|
|
|
Post by jozthebest on Dec 15, 2003 4:23:53 GMT -5
i had a long think about the topic of how Yusuf's music has evolved over the course of his life earlier tonight as i've got miserable insomnia. i totally respect everyone's religion- and their reasons for making music anyway they feel fits properly into their religions rule or custom. this is where my head led me- i remember in my youth when i was trying to figure out who i was- some of Cat Stevens songs, among others, were quite influential in shaping my budding personality. I'm certainly not the person i was then, i don't live the kind of life now that may have been reflected in some of his songs- although they are comparatively tame by today's standards. but they were an important part of my journey and my "becoming." I remember listening to Yusuf speak about this in the same sort of terms in the behind the music interview- that every part of his life and every sort of new development in his music was a necessary part of his search for his identity and his search for the truth. I think he may have referred to the process as "crossing thresholds". anyway, what i'm wondering is- do you think that by editing the music he made years ago he's suggesting that it would be a negative thing for his children or anyone's children for that matter, to listen to the old stuff as a part of their adolescent experience? I am absolutely not being critical here- i'm sincerely wondering if what we remember as often such a rite of passage for us could be not such a good idea for our kids- i admit i can't see how - but i'd like to hear points of view, especially religious, to help expand my understanding. much thanks! Peace....Jo
|
|
Maybe I'll get to see one someday after all.
Maybe he didn't have an answer for it, I don't know...or maybe it wasn't the answer I was looking for. Great question though Kareema. 
