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MP wants to keep the Cat out of Australia

A Victorian MP wants to ban entry to Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens)

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Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) soon in Australia

Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) soon in Australia unless Victorian MP has his way. AAP

28 May 2010

A Victorian MP believes Yusuf Islam, the Cypriot-Greek British singer formerly known as Cat Stevens, should be banned from entering Australia.

Mr Islam has an upcoming tour of Australia but Fairfax reports Democratic Labor MP Peter Kavanagh wants him barred from coming here.

It is believed the position surrounds Mr Islam's support of a fatwa – or Islamic death sentence – on British author Salman Rushdie.

Mr Rushdie was put under police protection following the release of his book, The Satanic Verses, because of outrage in parts of the Muslim community.

Many Muslims believed the book was blasphemy and it was reported by the New York Times in 1989 that Mr Islam supported the death sentence.

Mr Kavanagh said Immigration Minister Chris Evans should deny Mr Islam a visa unless he publicly said he does not support the murder of someone who expresses their views.

The British singer/songwriter, who's father was Greek and mother Swedish, changed his name to Yusuf Islam after converting to Islam in 1977.

He will play shows in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

The 61-year-old artist is famous for classic songs like Peace Train, Father & Son, (Remember The Days Of The) Old School Yard, First Cut Is The Deepest, Wild World, Moonshadow, and Morning Has Broken.

For many years it seemed unlikely that Yusuf would return to the stage, after deciding to devote himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community.

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Comments

I have had the pleasure to have known Yusuf for over 30 years and he is a sincere, kind and compassionate person who would never harm anyone. He is always misunderstood. I last met with him in 2000 in Florida and he was just beginning his journey back into the music world. His millions of fans worldwide will attest to his talent, and so lets just leave him alone and enjoy his talent once again. I only wish I could be there in Australia to see him live. I believe all of his shows are sold out though.
Submitted by Kimberlea on Mon, 2010-05-31 00:34.

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