A London-to-Washington flight was grounded yesterday when airline officials realized one of the passengers was on a U.S. terrorist watch list. The alleged terrorist? The retired folksinger formerly known as Cat Stevens.
The '70s singer/songwriter, who years ago converted to Islam, changed his name to Yusaf Islam, and renounced all his prior music, was sent back on the next flight out of the U.S. It's unknown why the man who wrote "Peace Train" is on a terrorist list, but I'm curious to hear the full story. Until then, "Harold & Maude" will never play the same way again.
It's a Wild World, indeed.
Posted by Stephen Silver at September 22, 2004 01:21 AMHe's been a pretty outspoken supporter (both morally and financially) of Hamas, which presumably makes him persona non grata in the US. He must not be a US citizen anymore; since I don't think CBP is allowed to deny entry to anyone with US citizenship, although he can be detained upon entry.
Posted by: Matthew :) at September 22, 2004 01:50 AMHis lyrics might be peaceful, but his actions prove otherwise. Although i would never not listen to someone's music or read someone's work because of certain beliefs they happen to share(for example - Destoyevsky was a notorious anti-Semite, yet his one of my favorite authors). Stopping someone from entry is completely different matter, he should be denied entry into the States since the money he gives (and the causes he supports) ultimetely gets used for murder (like what happend today in Jerusalem).
Posted by: Funnya at September 22, 2004 11:20 AM