Cat Stevens denied entry to US

[Mitchell]

I'm not sure how many of the forum members have heard this, but it seems that the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens was denied entry into the US yesterday because his name was found to be on a watch list.
The article claimed that the singer, now known as Yusuf Islam, was pulled off a flight from London to Washington. The flight was diverted to Maine, and Islam was pulled off the plane, and denied entry into the United States, with intent to deport from the country.
According to the officals interviewed, they did not specify why Islam was considered a threat, or why such actions were taken, it was only said that he was preceived as a security risk.
Has anyone else heard about this? I find it sad. I have Cat Stevens greatest hits on CD, and have always liked his music. I credit Kurch for aiding me in locating some songs that I liked by Cat Stevens last year. One has to wonder where this whole thing will lead, and whether radio stations may stop playing his music. Any thoughts?

Mitch

 

[AffectionateDan]

Who knows?

Maybe he's been in contact with some of the wrong people, and they know something that we don't... I'm sure time will tell. No way this is just gonna quiet down and go away with a celebrity, even an old one.

 

[venray]

That's it exactly Dan. I read an article on this in a local paper that said that he had ties to a group that was known to support terrorist organizations. That is why his name is on the list and why he cant enter the US.

Ray

 

[the_Baron]

he is said to have provided support to Hamas. that is the same reason he was denied entry into Israel not too long ago as well.

seems he was being followed by a moonshadow!

 

[TklDuo-Drew]

While were on the subject, what message IS James Taylor secretly trying to convey in "Fire and Rain?? And what do we REALLY know about Gordon Lightfoot?? And just WHY is Jackson Brown "Running on Empty"??


Drew

 

[Limeoutsider]

some days I think the biggest terrorist organization is the US government

 

[grippedchimp]

When you have the UK Foreign Secretary actually slamming Mr. Islam's treatment on the whole situation, you gotta be doing something wrong. I suppose he's in the wrong place at the wrong time. Knowing past actions in this climate, some people may bin Cat Stevens records because of this (who remembers the renaming of French Fries?), but I'm getting the sneaky suspicion that all Muslims will be branded terrorists by some ignorant people. Hell, even a couple of people here confessed to being anti-Muslim...

 

[red indian]

If it stops him singing.............

....I,m all for it.

 

[Delree]

The accusations of Yusuf Islam donating money to Hamas was a groundless claim by the Israeli authorities dreamt up to invent a reason to deny him entry to Israel.

He does not give the image of Islam that the authorities wanted to portray at the time.
His moderate views and calls for peace where not in line with the grim spectre of evil that Israel was portraying.

This latest event is a disgrace.

 

[kis123]

some days I think the biggest terrorist organization is the US government

Talk about hitting paydirt!

 

[Azrael]

The US Government

Hell yeah. I can't wait to cast my vote for Kerry.