Der sanfte Londoner Sänger und Platten-Millionär

wandelte sich zum tiefgläubigen Moslem

Ein strenger Pilger

Seine Haare sind jetzt kurzgeschoren, und meist versteckt er sie unter einem Turban. Der schwarze Rauschebart reicht ihm bis zur Brust. Und statt hautengen Hosen mit Schlangenmuster trägt er heute die Dschellaba, ein knöchellanges arabisches Gewand.

Seit der ehemalige Platten-Millionär Cat Stevens zum Islam konvertierte, hat sich nicht nur sein Äußeres radikal verändert. Während seine Hits "Morning has broken" oder "Moon Shadow" nach wie vor im Radio gespielt werden, hat er selbst der Popmusik abgeschworen.

Cat Stevens heißt seit 17 Jahren Yusuf Islam, lebt streng nach den Regeln des Koran, zieht durch Europa, um die islamische Heilslehre zu verbreiten und unterstützt den Mordaufruf gegen den Schriftsteller Salman Rushdie. Dabei verkündete der Mann mit den sanften schwarzen Augen und der samtigen Stimme jahrelang die "Love and Peace"-Botschaft der Hippie-Generation, war Pazifist und Vietnamkriegs-Gegner.

Der Sohn eines griechischen Gastwirts und einer Schwedin, 1948 als Steven Demetri Georgiou in London geboren, besuchte eine Kunstschule und wollte zunächst Karikaturist werden. Grauenhafte Zeit Doch Mitte der sechziger Jahre fing er an, Lieder zu schreiben, trat in der Hauptstadt der "swinging sixties" als Folksänger in kleinen Klubs auf und legte sich den Künstlernamen Cat Stevens zu. Er begleitete sich selbst auf der akustischen Gitarre. Die erste Single "I Love my Dog", 1966 auf eigene Kosten produziert, belegte gleich Platz 28 der englischen Hitparade. Zwei Jahre später hatte Stevens schon zwei erfolgreiche LPs veröffentlicht, war mit Jimi Hendrix auf Tournee gegangen und galt als sensibler Songschreiber der neuen Generation. Doch der Erfolg bereitete ihm Probleme. Er war weder psychisch noch physisch sonderlich robust und haßte es, im Rampenlicht zu stehen. "Ich kippte täglich eine Flasche Schnaps hinunter und war bei jedem Auftritt kaputt - es war grauenhaft", erinnerte er sich später.

Als die Ärzte schließlich eine offene Tuberkulose bei ihm feststellten, mußte sich Stevens zwei Jahre lang in ein Sanatorium zurückziehen. Dort schrieb er die melancholischen Balladen und Liebessongs, die in den frühen 70er Jahren zu seinen größten Hits wurden und ihm sechs Goldene Schallplatten einbrachten - "Father and Son", "Peace Train", "My Lady D'Arbanville". Bald war er Millionär und besaß Häuser in London, Athen und Rio. Mit fernöstlichen Religionen und Mystizismus hatte er sich immer schon beschäftigt. Doch auf dem Höhepunkt seiner Karriere angelangt, driftete Stevens mehr und mehr ab, seine Liedtexte wurden zunehmend esoterisch. Schließlich konvertierte er 1978 im Alter von 30 Jahren zum Islam, hörte auf zu singen und ließ die Goldenen Schallplatten und seine Gitarren versteigern. "Als ich begann, den Koran zu lesen, fühlte ich, daß alles, was ich hatte sagen wollen, dort schon geschrieben stand. Es war einfach kein Bedürfnis mehr da, weiterzumachen."

Heute rezitiert Yusuf Islam den Koran im Original. Er betet fünfmal am Tag, predigt in der Moschee, fastet während des Ramadan und ist 1980 sogar nach Mekka gepilgert. Seit 16 Jahren ist er mit einer Mohammedanerin verheiratet. Er lebt nach wie vor in London und hat einen Sohn und drei Töchter, die Hasanah, Asma und Maymanah heißen. Mit dem Pop-Geschäft will er nichts mehr zu tun haben. "Ich habe erkannt, daß das Leben eines Musikers all die Dinge beinhaltet, die verboten sind, wie Alkohol, Drogen, Freundinnen und auch die Gier nach dem Geld. Ich bin mit dem Islam glücklich", sagte er 1994 bei seinem ersten Fernsehauftritt nach 15 Jahren in Thomas Gottschalks "Late Night Show".

Er hält Vorträge an Volkshochschulen zum Thema "Islam in Europa" und hat eine CD über Mohammeds Leben aufgenommen. Einen Großteil seines Millionenvermögens hat Yusuf Islam an Unicef gespendet. Mit den Tantiemen, die noch immer aus Plattenverkäufen auf sein Konto fließen, unterstützt er die Organisation "Muslim Aid" und finanziert eine islamische Grundschule im Norden Londons. "Nur wer hilft, dem wird geholfen", sei seine Maxime, sagt er.

Weniger nobel zeigte sich der strenggläubige Moslem allerdings in der Frage der Meinungsfreiheit. Vor sechs Jahren unterstützte er in der Öffentlichkeit den Mordaufruf des Ayatollah Khomeini gegen den Schriftsteller Salman Rushdie. Yusuf Islam: "Wenn jemand den Propheten beleidigt, muß er sterben." Zahlreiche US-Radiosender spielen seitdem keine Cat-Stevens-Titel mehr. Und ein Diskjockey in Los Angeles zerbrach aus Protest vor laufendem Mikrophon die Platte "Morning has broken".

[berliner-zeitung.de, 04.11.1995]

Ex-Sänger Cat Stevens preist den Propheten auf einer CD

"Ich spreche jetzt mit dem ganzen Islam in mir"

Vor knapp zwanzig Jahren konvertierte der englische Musikstar Cat Stevens, bekannt durch so schöne Popschnulzen wie "Morning has broken" oder "Father and son", zum Islam. Er ist nicht der erste Künstler, der solchen Sinneswandel zeigt, jedoch einer der radikaleren Art. Seitdem nennt Cat Stevens sich Yusuf Islam und hat sich als aktives Mitglied in der englischen Muslim-Gemeinde eigentlich vom Musikgeschäft verabschiedet.

Doch meldet er sich jetzt auf dem Markt zurück - mit seiner CD "The life of the last prophet". Die beschäftigt sich, wie der Name sagt, mit der Lebensgeschichte des Propheten, gesungen auf arabisch.

Der ehemalige Pop-Sänger wirbt für diese CD derzeit bei einer Tour durch deutsche Städte. Nach seinem Auftritt in der Berliner Technischen Universität traf ihn Diana Zimmermann.

Berliner Zeitung: Herr Islam, was hat Sie dazu bewogen, nach zwanzig Jahren des Schweigens, jetzt diese CD auf dem Plattenmarkt zu präsentieren?

Yusuf Islam: Die Informationen über den Islam sind rar gestreut und oft von sehr schlechter Qualität. Dies möchte ich ändern.

Aber widerspricht es nicht Ihrer Überzeugung, von früherem Ruhm zu profitieren?

Nein, denn ich glaube, daß auch meine Lieder auf dem Weg zum Glauben entstanden sind, daß sie Etappen auf diesem Weg anzeigen.

Sie hatten damals der Musik von einem Tag auf den anderen abgeschworen, Ihren ganzen Lebensstil radikal verändert. Fiel Ihnen das nicht schwer?

Nein, denn ich hatte das Gefühl, die ersten 23 Jahre meines Lebens wie im Schlaf verbracht zu haben. Die ganze synthetische Welt um mich herum schien mir so nichtig, daß es gar nicht schwer war, mich davon zu verabschieden.

Sie sind aber in einer vollkommen anderen Gesellschaft aufgewachsen. So wird der Frau im Islam eine ganz andere Stellung zugewiesen. Das konnten Sie so einfach akzeptieren?

Wissen Sie, die westlichen Frauen meinen immer, sie seien freier als die islamischen Frauen. Wahr ist doch, daß Frauen in jeder Gesellschaft schon immer unterdrückt wurden. Hier im Westen werden Frauen bekanntlich geschlagen, vergewaltigt und umgebracht, die Männer trinken - wo bleibt denn da die Freiheit der Frau?

Dem Verhalten Mohammeds folgend geben Sie Frauen nicht einmal die Hand.

Ein Detail, über das sich viel zu sehr aufgeregt wird. Meine Frau bat mich darum, diese Regel zu berücksichtigen. Sie wurde wütend, wenn ich anderen Frauen die Hand gab.

Aber Sie verstehen doch auch, daß Frauen sich dadurch diskriminiert fühlen können?

Ja, schon, aber Frauen sind generell sehr sensibel.

Sie haben fünf Kinder. Wie würden Sie reagieren, wenn Ihre Töchter Männern außerhalb der Familie die Hand geben wollten?

Das würden sie nie tun. Sie sind schon immer dem Vorbild ihrer Mutter gefolgt.

Ist es richtig, daß Sie den Mordaufruf gegen den Schriftsteller Salman Rushdie unterstützen?

Darüber möchte ich nicht reden. Ich weiß wirklich nicht, warum dieses Thema von der Presse so breitgetreten worden ist, wenn nicht, um das allgemeine Vorurteil von der Gewalttätigkeit des Islam zu fördern.

Unterstützen Sie es denn generell, daß jemand für seine politischen oder religiösen Ansichten mit dem Tode bestraft wird?

Wenn jemand einen kriminellen Akt begeht, so wird er dafür in jeder Gesellschaft bestraft. Wenn Sie stehlen oder Graffiti an die Wände sprühen, gibt es Gesetze, die die Interessen der Mehrheit schützen.

Ich sprach von der Todesstrafe für eine geäußerte Meinung.

Niemand wird im Islam dafür bestraft, daß er sagt, er glaubt nicht. Gut, dann glaubt er eben nicht. Wenn jemand aber Blasphemie betreibt, dann bedeutet das, daß er kein einziges Gesetz mehr achtet, und dann muß er dementsprechend bestraft werden. Schon bei Jesus stand auf Gotteslästerung Steinigung.

Gibt es keine anderen Methoden als den Aufruf zum Mord?

Meine Antwort auf Rushdies Text ist meine CD, die klarmachen soll, daß es eine andere Form gibt, den Koran zu lesen.

Sie beklagen das Vorurteil von der Gewalttätigkeit des Islam. Warum nehmen Sie dann nicht deutlich Abstand von blutigen Racheaufrufen und fundamentalistischen Positionen?

Ich befinde mich zwischen den Radikalen und den Gemäßigten. Der Prophet betont selbst immer die Vorzüge des Mittelweges.

Sie betonen, daß Sie Ihre Entwicklung als Weg der Vervollkommnung begreifen. Warum gestehen Sie andern nicht ebenso ihren eigenen Weg zu?

Ich spreche jetzt nicht mehr als einzelner Mensch, sondern mit dem ganzen Islam hinter mir. In der westlichen Gesellschaft haben die Menschen die Regeln verlassen, die ihnen vorgegeben worden waren. Deswegen sieht man jetzt so viel Kriminalität, so viel abweichendes Verhalten. Überall gibt es Frauen, die arbeiten, und Männer, die zu Hause bleiben, die Männer verweiblichen, die Frauen vermännlichen, überall gibt es Schwule und Lesben.

Heißt das, Sie sehen Homosexualität als Ausdruck von Werteverlust?

Es ist eine Sünde.

Eine deutliche Aussage für jemand, der sich selbst zwischen den Radikalen und den Gemäßigten ansiedelt. Und wie stehen Sie als Moslem zu anderen Religionen?

Wenn alle Menschen streng nach Christentum, Judaismus, Buddhismus und Islam leben würden, hätten wir sehr viel weniger Probleme auf dieser Welt.

[berliner-zeitung.de, 07.02.1996]

Cat Stevens Breaks His Silence

Yusuf Islam returns to the U.S. to patch up

his relationship with fans

Religious awakenings and conversions are nothing new. From Martin Luther to Mohammad Ali, in one sense or another they have helped create and define our nation. Yet when Cat Stevens, the tremendously popular British singer/songwriter, gave up the life of a music superstar to become Yusuf Islam, the most private of personal decisions became something to mock and ultimately to scorn stateside.

For more than a decade, Islam's name has been mud for "endorsing" the Ayatollah's fatwa against author Salman Rushdie for writing The Satanic Verses. If you're enamored with the notion of an endless scavenger hunt, try to find that endorsement somewhere in writing. As happens, with the passing of time fiction become fact, myth becomes legend. A backlash ensued. 10,000 Maniacs pulled Stevens' "Peace Train" from In My Tribe. His songs were banned from radio and his religious beliefs publicly ridiculed.

Meanwhile, Islam quietly worked to a number of charitable ends in his native London. He released a number of albums that sold quite well internationally, though they received little attention in the States. But it's a new century, and Yusuf Islam is back in the news. Universal is in the process of launching a complete reissue program of his catalogue with the prospects of a box set later in the year. VH1 is trying to land him for an episode of Behind the Music. And he's covering America on a speaking tour that just might clear the air of a decade's worth of rumor.

Was there a particular reason for your recent U.S. speaking tour?

My reason for coming to the U.S. is to reconnect with my fans, those who feel I turned my back and who deserve an explanation. There are many people who also want me to visit their communities and I enjoy that greatly, meeting and sharing thoughts and, of course, enjoying wonderful hospitality.

Your religious conversion seems so basic, yet people's reactions were hyper-critical. Why do you think there was so little understanding?

When I accepted Islam, a lot of people couldn't understand. To my fans it seemed that my entering Islam was the direct cause of me leaving the music business, so many people were upset. However, I had found the spiritual home I'd been seeking for most of my life. And if you listen to my music and lyrics, like "Peace Train" and "On The Road To Findout," it clearly shows my yearning for direction and the spiritual path I was travelling.

The Rushdie fatwa incident seems to be accepted as fact here, despite the fact that no one seems able to cite your endorsement of it. How did this rumor start?

I'm very sad that this seems to be the No. 1 question people want to discuss. I had nothing to do with the issue other than what the media created. I was innocently drawn into the whole controversy. So, after many years, I'm glad at least now that I have been given the opportunity to explain to the public and fans my side of the story in my own words. At a lecture, back in 1989, I was asked a question about blasphemy according to Islamic Law, I simply repeated the legal view according to my limited knowledge of the Scriptural texts, based directly on historical commentaries of the Qur'an. The next day the newspaper headlines read, "Cat Says, Kill Rushdie." I was abhorred, but what could I do? I was a new Muslim. If you ask a Bible student to quote the legal punishment of a person who commits blasphemy in the Bible, he would be dishonest if he didn't mention Leviticus 24:16.

The backlash here was particularly fierce. Albums were banned, songs pulled from albums.

For years after that, I have been viewed as someone capable of saying such words and doing such things, which I never actually said or did! The fact is I have always held strong humanitarian views; I always stood for the elimination of conflict and wars, and any of those causes that ignite them. One only has to view my music and all the charitable efforts I've been involved in since I left the music business and even before that. To quote one of my lyrics, "Why must we go on hating? Why can't we live in bliss?" But it seems some people were intent to damage my character, they tried to trap me and paint me into a box, taking what I said out of context. This was very hurtful. As for banning my music and records, it seems my "freedom of speech" was not quite as free as that of others -- except when what I said was totally distorted. If anyone had just sincerely reached out to me and asked me for the truth -- none of this would be an issue today and I would not have been disconnected with the public for so long. Perhaps some journalists and a few DJs made a bit of a career out of blowing this up out of proportion.

Did you ever think about issuing a statement to clear up misconceptions about the incident?

I issued a statement myself to clear up the misinformation, but the truth never made the headlines. My statement was almost entirely ignored -- and thus the myth was perpetuated. Various things were said, such as the fictitious report about me living in Tehran and begging on the streets! When I had never left my home in England, even up to today I still have never stepped foot in Iran.

Did you consider taking legal action?

Legal action was never considered; in retrospect, perhaps it should have been. But going through the legal system just prolongs the issue and I wanted to distance myself and move on. Unfortunately, this "distance" also removed me from my fans. But those were the days when I didn't have a manager or any real connection to the music business. In retrospect, I could have handled it better with a bit of help. But I was trying to avoid further confrontation.

The accusations seem to ignore your various charity works.

After a lot of heartfelt searching, I set about using my talent to produce books and recordings that would explain Islam in a more honest and accurate way. I couldn't just sit back and just watch all this bad news being written. I know how wonderful Islam is and how it has affected my life and enlightened me; it was clear that many people were getting the wrong message. My first album after seventeen years of silence was released in 1995 entitled, The Life of The Last Prophet. To date it has sold over 300,000 copies. For those who have heard it, I believe it has made a difference. As far as my charity work is concerned, it is part of my faith as a Muslim to try to help those who are suffering from poverty or economic or political injustice. It's very difficult to ignore humanitarian disasters, such as we've seen in Bosnia, Kosova and Mozambique. The royalties from my albums continue to support my charity work. At the present time we're looking after thousands of orphans who are the innocent victims of recent wars. We are trying to help those who have survived and have no parents, we can't do anything about those who have been killed.

How has this affected your view of the United States?

Has the rest of the world been kinder?

I enjoy visiting the U.S. There is a sense of optimism and openness, which if utilized correctly can help humanity to achieve great goals. I feel that Americans would like their lives to be more spiritual -- I read somewhere that eighty-two percent believe in God -- but the social-economic pressures are against that happening; the pursuit of wealth and commercialism often ends up distracting them from their higher purpose. I know, because that's what personally happened to me.

You seem to be in a comfort zone with family, your art and charity work. Is life today better than in the Seventies?

Although I am not touring or playing 40,000 seat stadiums anymore, I have never been busier with my charities, schools and various other children's causes. My family is extremely important to me and I try to spend much of my time with them. As I grow older, life's blessings become clearer. The more God gives, the more thankful I try to be. Thankfulness leads to contentment, and contentment is another word for happiness.

Did you enjoy going back through your old work with these Cat Stevens reissues?

I am more mature now, and so is my attitude, I've managed to make peace with my past, as my past is making peace with me. I think there is a sense of mutuality for both artistic phases of my life. My present work is very important to me, but there are still many people who appreciate my previous work. A lot of my records still stand up today. I am sometimes surprised at the poetic content of some of the songs and say, "Did I write that?" Some songs like, "Sitting" and "100 I Dream" carry important meanings which still resonate.

What are your thoughts on the albums? Do you think they've aged well?

Albums, like children, all have something different to say and are equally valid. However, due to the way life goes, some grow bigger, some die, some are good and some are not quite so. It's all part of my history, my views of life and the lifestyle of my generation. The fact that my son listens to my records and appreciates them shows that they still hold up today. Some of the messages are timeless.

I heard it was upon hearing some Bosnian music that you felt inspired to record again.

Bosnia was a tragedy which shook everyone. Looking at what was happening in the center of Europe: there was another genocide happening. I really wanted to do something. At one point I had met the Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina during a trip he made to London. Dr. Irfan happened to be a fan of mine in the old days. We had a very nice evening together. Half way through our meeting he put a cassette into my hand and said, "Listen to this, it's my song." The song was called, "I Have No Cannons That Roar."

After that evening I was left with this cassette. Very soon after that I heard the news that he was killed -- he was shot down in a helicopter above Bosnia while making a trip to his home in Bihac. My heart dropped! Suddenly, I remembered this cassette. I felt I had to do something. At that time I was listening to tapes of songs coming out of Bosnia, very inspiring songs full of spirit and hope. I realized I should put an album together and I wrote a couple of songs for the album. One was called, "Mother, Father, Sister, Brother" and another song which I sang for the album was called "The Little Ones" and was dedicated to the children of Sarajevo and Dunblane.

Do you feel there is less pressure to write and record now?

I only write and record when I feel there is a subject which needs to be focused on. The latest album which I have completed is called, A is for Allah. Conveniently, the name of God begins with "A" in Arabic. This is in fact the first song I wrote after becoming a Muslim, it was written at the birth of my first child, Hasanah, who was born in 1980. The idea was to teach my little girl that before everything, "A" is for Allah, the Lord of the universe, and that everything else that we love and cherish in this world -- including apples -- originate from His kindness and generosity to us. The album is also accompanied by a colourful book which shows lots of pictures. It goes through the twenty-eight letters of the Arabic alphabet, touching on the foundations of faith and trying to develop childrens' moral consciousness. It also has songs and short sections of the Qur'an. Maybe if faith and morals are once again taught to our kids at a young age, we can prevent such tragic incidents like the recent fatal shooting of a six-year-old by a classmate in Michigan.

There has been a lot of talk lately about a Cat Stevens Behind the Music. Is it going to happen?

VH1 is still under discussion. It could help blow away some of those myths and erroneous stories that have circulated for years. Something tells me I should still be careful about the tendency of TV to reduce life into a convenient "box shape." Although it will be difficult to capture my entire life in a short television special, I hope people will finally realize that my life didn't change as much as it developed, and I always continued to be an artist. I made a choice to actively try to make a difference in the world, just as I wrote and sang about.

People did seem stunned by Cat Stevens' retirement. Do you have any regrets about the way in which you converted?

The only regret I have, is that the communication which existed between those who listened to my songs and me ceased to exist. For a long time I lost that privileged link of communication by cutting myself off from the music business. I hope my coming out to speak will help rectify that -- if God wills. I would like those who followed my music to know my lifestyle and to know me as I am today without the rumors and prejudices that were created about me. If you want to know me, then listen to my music, especially my lyrics, they mostly revolve around peace and humanity. That hasn't changed -- they are still the things I believe in.

[rollingstone.com, 21. Juni 2000]

Musik verbindet, mein Sohn

Yusuf Islam wurde als Cat Stevens berühmt und verkaufte rund 40 Millionen Alben. Dann konvertierte er zum Islam und zog sich zurück. Der Versuch, sein altes Leben mit dem neuen zu verknüpfen, und sein Einsatz für Menschen in Not führten ihn nun nach New York. 

[DER SPIEGEL 22/2004, 24.05.2004]

Zug des Friedens

Nach fast 30 Jahren kehrt der Missionar Yusuf Islam

als Sänger Cat Stevens nach Deutschland zurück

"Einige von Ihnen haben vielleicht bemerkt, daß ich eine Zeitlang nicht gesungen habe." Der kleine Mann auf der riesigen Bühne schmunzelt über seinen Witz, das Publikum ihm gegenüber, in feinste Abendgarderobe gezwängt, applaudiert der Selbstironie eines ehemaligen Stars. Auf der Bühne steht Yusuf Islam, der sich früher Cat Stevens nannte und einer der erfolgreichsten Solokünstler der siebziger Jahre war, bevor er aus religiösen Gründen über Nacht seine Gitarre an den Nagel hängte. An diesem Samstag abend tritt Stevens nach fast 30 Jahren erstmals wieder mit einigen alten Songs in Deutschland auf - in einem Hotel im rheinländischen Neuss.

Der Rahmen ist festlich, ein Hippie-Revival stellt man sich anders vor. Sir Paul McCartney und Gattin Heather persönlich veranstalten die Wohltätigkeitsgala "Adopt-A-Minefield", deren Erlös dem Kampf gegen Landminen zugute kommt. Der Saal ist matt erleuchtet, auf den über sechzig runden Tischen glühen schmiedeeiserne Kandelaber mit roten Rosen. Ein Dutzend Kellner bedient mit linker Hand auf dem Rücken, man reicht Essenz von Shii-take Pilzen und mild geräucherten Tofu.

Gegen halb eins erscheint Yusuf Islam auf der Bühne - seine braunen Augen blinzeln freundlich, das melierte Haar ist kurz, dazu ein grauer Rauschebart. Bei jüngsten Interviews trug Yusuf gern Kaftan und Kopfbedeckung, an diesem Abend bevorzugt der 57jährige ein weißes Hemd in schwarzer Anzughose. Jahrelang hatte er es abgelehnt, jemals wieder mit seinen alten, teils gottlosen Liedern aufzutreten. Für den guten Zweck jedoch ließ er sich von Paul McCartney überreden. Es ist ein schlichtes Comeback - um ihn gruppiert sich eine überschaubare Band mit Baß, Gitarre und Akkordeon. "Schalom", sagt Yusuf zur Begrüßung, dann erlebt Cat Stevens mit "Where Do the Children Play" seine Wiedergeburt.

Als Londoner Twen der Siebziger trug Cat Stevens Glockenjeans und Unfrisur und kultivierte auf Plattenhüllen den begierigen Blick seiner strahlenden Augen, die ihm den Spitznamen "Cat" einbrachten. Doch trotz Weltruhmes und 50 Millionen verkaufter Alben war der Schmusesänger unglücklich. Er suchte nach dem Sinn des Lebens, reiste, las fernöstliche Philosophie, während ihm Huldigungen seiner Fans immer lästiger wurden. Mitte der siebziger Jahre war Cat Stevens des Showgeschäftes müde - und fühlte sich orientierungslos. Bis zu dem Tag, als die Lichtgestalt eine Erleuchtung hatte: Bei einem Badeausflug in Florida, so erzählte Stevens später, sei er beinahe ertrunken und habe in seiner Angst gelobt, im Falle seiner Rettung zum Islam überzutreten. Der gebürtige Steven Georgiou überlebte, den Popstar Cat Stevens ließ er zurück in den Fluten. Ende 1977 konvertierte der christlich erzogene Stevens, änderte seinen Namen in Yusuf Islam und gab seine Musikkarriere auf, mit 29 Jahren. Seitdem lehrt er in selbst gegründeten Koranschulen und setzt sich mit seinem Geld und seinem Namen für Muslime in Krisengebieten ein. Seine religiöse Überzeugung ließ ihn 1994 sogar wieder den Weg ins Tonstudio finden, wo er Alben wie "A Is For Allah" aufnahm. Manche wittern in seinem Sendungsbewußtsein Fanatismus und sagen ihm Kontakte zu radikal-islamistischen Organisationen nach. Im Land seiner größten Erfolge, den USA, gilt er als terrorverdächtig. Er selbst hat stets bestritten, radikale Kräfte zu unterstützen. Der 11. September veranlaßte ihn immerhin, gelegentlich Cat Stevens zu erwecken, um als Missionar eines erklärtermaßen friedlichen Islam Gehör zu finden.

Der kleine Mann auf der Bühne schließt die Augen, summt mit sanfter, tiefer Stimme den Zwischenteil von "Peace Train". In seinen Blick legt er Güte und Weisheit. Die Rolle des pietistischen Pop-Propheten, in der sich Yusuf als Sänger und Prediger gefiel, spielt er heute unaufdringlich. Dazu ist er zu sehr mit seiner eigenen historischen Musik beschäftigt: Beim Höhepunkt von "Peace Train" gibt er für Sekunden seine Zurückhaltung auf, wippt zum improvisierten Gesang mit dem Oberkörper und preßt die Augen zusammen. Im rotblauen Schein der Bühnenbeleuchtung ist es, als stünde er wieder als jugendlicher Schmachtsänger auf der Bühne. Dann ist das Lied vorbei.

Nur vier Songlängen dauert die Rückkehr des Cat Stevens. Zum Abschluß gibt es ein Duett mit Paul McCartney - das reifere Publikum besinnt sich der wilden Jugend und singt in Abendkleid oder Smoking "Let It Be". Auch wenn Yusuf Islam zum Abschied wieder "Schalom" ruft und aus religiösen Gründen die Abschiedsumarmung der tief dekolletierten Heather McCartney ausschlägt - jetzt, wo Cat Stevens wieder lebt, ist doch alles wieder ein bißchen wie früher.

[welt.de, 30. Mai 2005]

Yusuf Islam - Sounding Louder

Despite climbing down from the giddy heights of musical stardom 30 years ago, Cat Stevens is never far from making the headlines. Whether being harangued for his Muslim schools or being detained by US officials, Yusuf Islam feels he is often misunderstood. In this candid interview he talks about his position on music, his desire to build bridges and the deeper meaning of Father and Son.

"Today, you have to speak to people in the language they understand and music is a universal language; it knows no racial, religious or national boundaries. And so I believe we need more and more images of successful Muslims in the public arena doing the right thing and encouraging others."

Brondesbury Park Hotel in West London contains some good memories for me: my sister got married there; my children have run amok in the halls and corridors and I have attended no end of dinners, conferences and charity events in this former police hostel. But now it has closed down. The trust that owns it, founded by Yusuf Islam, is considering other options. It is no coincidence that since 9/11 all of Yusuf’s charities  and other Islamic charities in general - have suffered financially. “It is absolutely awful,” he protests. “The Islamic ethos is to encourage charity, whilst the actions of extremists and certain governments is putting fear into people and thereby discouraging them from donating to worthy causes. One of the deeply regrettable fallouts is that many people, including Muslims, have stopped the noble tradition of donating money.”

One of the lounges in the hotel is opened up just for us to have our meeting. Yusuf had arrived concerned about being late for his next appointment. Life has been a roller-coaster ride over the last few weeks. How does he feel about the Hollywood-style diversion of his plane and his subsequent deportation? “One wonders what a British passport is worth nowadays,” he retorts. “On the inside front cover there is some blurb about Her Britannic Majesty requesting and requiring the bearer to be allowed to pass freely without let or hindrance. Well, the Americans were clearly not minded to entertain Her Majesty’s request on this occasion. But perhaps,” he says on reflection “there is a lesson in all this. The US is no longer the welcome destination it had a reputation for. It is no longer the ‘dream land’ it once was. It is paralysed by fear and is sending frightful signals to the outside world. But good sense in the end will prevail, insha-Allah.”

Will he try again to go to the US? He smiles. “Well, the world is a big place.” In the meantime Yusuf is determined to carry on his work, helping the needy and promoting peace. His focus has turned eastward. He spends a lot of time in Dubai and is very proud of his charity Small Kindness (started in 1999). In November 2004 he was honoured with the Man for Peace award in Rome by a committee of Nobel laureates. His face is instantly recognisable in the Muslim world and beyond and he has become an icon for many millions of people. In my own travels I have often been asked about Yusuf Islam. His personality makes an impact on those he meets. I remember being told about one incident where two students from Oxford went into a restaurant. They saw Yusuf in one corner dining with his family. One of the students couldn’t contain his enthusiasm and skipped over to Yusuf’s table to greet him with salaams. The other student, being English, was naturally reserved and after the meal said sorry to Yusuf for his colleague’s conduct. “No need to apologise,” Yusuf consoled. “Your friend was doing nothing wrong. To say salaam is a good thing.” This small but genuine gesture left a deep impression upon the young man and he fi nds this humility lacking in many with a public profile – even Muslims.

There is a patent desire in Yusuf to do the right thing. He clearly has a concern for wider society evidenced by his international humanitarian work and his Islamic schools.Some have accused such schools of being divisive and of creating a segregated society. Yusuf appears impatient with such criticism. “Well, football can be divisive. I’m actually an Arsenal supporter and often we see the passion and hostilities generated by this game. But there isn’t a clamour to ban football. I believe the arguments against Muslim schools are ill-conceived. Firstly, a ‘Muslim school’ is not a ‘school for Muslims only,’ rather it is a school that runs on universal Islamic values – values which most people would recognise and admire. Islam has a strong tradition of pluralism and has created  multi-cultural and multi-racial societies. Secondly,  faith-based schools have consistently performed well. Year after year the results of students at such schools are remarkably good. Thirdly, a good Muslim school will help create well-rounded citizens who make valuable contribution to society and the world. The problem is not with the vision or idea of a Muslim school, but rather the implementation of that vision, which requires time, dedication and resources.”

Yusuf was born Steven Demetri Georgiou in London’s West End on 21st July 1948 to a Swedish mother and a Greek-Cypriot father. He is the youngest of three children and seems to have had a vibrant childhood growing up in the fast lane of central London. His parents owned a restaurant near Soho and young Steven would help out serving, sweeping the fl oors and even getting to turn thekebabs on the grill. He fondly recalls the restaurant receiving extra tips on account of his youthful charm and exuberance.

His parent’s marriage ran into difficulties, though they continued to live in the same house and even work together. Then, for a few months Yusuf lived with his mother in Sweden. He vividly recalls at school being the only dark-haired olive-skinned child in a sea of blue-eyed blonds, who treated him with intrigue and curiosity.

Back in the UK Yusuf did encounter Muslims at an early age, but because his father was a Greek-Cypriot there was inherent hostility towards the Turks and thereby towards Muslims in general. This makes it all the more fascinating how he became a Muslim. “Not really,” he says. “I had always been religious, being brought up nominally as a Greek Orthodox, but my parents sent me to a Catholic school to get a good moral grounding. You can see that much of my life and search refl ects a spiritual disposition which culminated in my becoming a Muslim.”

Ever since the age of 18, when he had his first hit with I Love My Dog, Yusuf – then Cat Stevens – has been in the public eye. But about 27 years ago he gave up his singing at the height of his musical fame. Why? “I became a Muslim and stopped singing. Contrary to popular opinion, I never gave it up irreversibly, but I suspended using my talents until I knew better. Fame and fortune can be very challenging. I was being advised that music was prohibited. At the time I didn’t think for myself, but later I closely studied the sources of Islamic law and not just the fatwas (opinions).”

“Islamic jurisprudence is quite sophisticated and elaborate. For an action to be prohibited there must be a clear-cut ordinance (nass) which is not open to various interpretations. In my research I discovered for myself the different views on music – there is no clear nass against music itself but there are clearly dangers. It is not the music that is generally the problem, but all the other things that surround and accompany the entertainment  industry which can lead one away from God.”

Is he concerned that some Muslims will be dismayed at his return to the music scene? “I had walked away from the music industry, not the music itself. Music is around us everywhere. It is part of God’s creation and harmony within the universe: the sound of rain falling on a lake; the gust of wind rushing through trees; the melody of birds singing – all this is music to be enjoyed and appreciated. The problem I had with the music industry was that it became all-consuming and therefore a distraction from the higher goals of life and the Hereafter.”

On 13th December 2004 the singer Ronan Keating re-released with Yusuf the classic song Father and Son, written by Cat Stevens in 1969. How did it all come about? “It was really quite unexpected,” Yusuf explains. “I like Ronan; he’s a good singer with a clean image. I was asked by his management to join the recording with some ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’. However, once in the studio I found it very diffi cult not to sing, and everything fell naturally into place. I am pleased with the outcome – after all, it is a great song.”

“Today you have to speak to people in the language they understand and music is a universal language; it knows no racial, religious or national boundaries. And so I believe we need more and more images of successful Muslims in the public arena doing the right thing and encouraging others. You know, when Muhammad Ali carried the Olympic Flame in 1996 that was a great moment.”

“I know my music as Cat Stevens has inspired people and even saved lives. If my music as Yusuf Islam can continue to do that then I will be honoured. But I tread with caution, for I am conscious that one day I will be before God and will have to answer for all my deeds.” Yusuf then explains that his son Muhammad was infl uential in his decision to enter the mainstream again. Yusuf married in 1979 and has four daughters and one son. “Actually, it was Muhammad who first noticed Boyzone singing Father and Son whilst we were eating kebabs in a restaurant. We later met the band on Top of the Pops and were very impressed by them.”

Interestingly, the song Father and Son has great resonance with the Qur’anic story of Abraham and his father. “The lyrics of my song originally related to a young man wanting to leave the comfort of his home to fight in the Russian Revolution. In the story of Abraham, he is in confl ict with his father’s values; he struggles for a long time and then eventually has to go his own way, giving up his home comforts for higher values. But when the father and son relationship works – as in the case of Abraham and his son Ismail, then great wonders can be achieved. Many millions of Muslims unite as one family of believers around the sacred House rebuilt by Abraham and Ismail in Makkah.”

And so back to the inevitable 9/11; has anything changed since? “Yes, most definitely. There is now a greater feeling of ‘us and them’. The world is much more polarised. Security concerns trump everything else. This is all very alien to Islam which teaches the middle way, the balanced way. And I think we Muslims have failed to explain what Islam is about to the wider world. I believe if Islam could be truly known, that it is the continuous message of all the prophets – Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad and the many others before him – then we would not have such a fractious world. We forget our common origin (and joint destination); we do not emphasise enough of that which we share, but tend to squabble over the differences. Even in the Muslim world we have branded ourselves Salafi s and Sufi s, modernists and traditionalists - and a host of other things.”

The story of the Qur’anic Yusuf is an uplifting one. It is an illustration of God’s unfathomable direction of men’s affairs. From the depths of darkness to slavery and imprisonment and then to great prosperity, honour and dignity, Yusuf’s life account is profound and stirring, giving hope when all around there is despair. And of course, like Abraham and Ismail, this is a father and son story too. But in this story their separation was enforced and maliciously planned. The father though never gave up hope of meeting his son again, and their eventual meeting is powerfully evoked in the Qur’an. “My own father died testifying there is only One God,” Yusuf recalls. “That was one of the greatest moments for me. The message of unity is now carrying on with my son; that is a great blessing - thank God (Al-hamdu lillah).”

[emel.com, Januar 2005]