Apparently, Cat is a security risk!
Thats a laugh! They didnt even say why he’s considered a risk!
And you people say I was silly for asking wether it was safe to visit America?
Its not that I’m being paranoid, they literally are harashing anyone-color aside-who has a Muslim name, link, or even some couscous on their breath!
The US loves reandomly censoring muslim speakers. The other day, I heard they banned some muslims PHD who was gonna teach Islamic Studies at Harvard or something. As if a guy like that is a security risk 
Good excuse guys, lets talk censorship. I gues freedom of speech only applies selectively in the US now.
Same old problem, everyone loves American principles, but apparently they only apply to whoever the Americans want them to.
Cat Stevens has never messed anyone over. Soon they'll arrest Hamza Yusuf!
What abt Johnny Ave Muslim who travels to the US. Does he/she face problems?
It wasn't him, he was being followed by a suspicious "Moonshadow".
:D
Seriously though, why him?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by legbreakgoogly: *
:D
Seriously though, why him?
[/QUOTE]
The answer is in that article.
[quote]
Last year he released two songs, including a re-recording of his '70s hit "Peace Train," to express his opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
[/quote]
Welcome to the USSR ..... err ... USA.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by mAd_ScIeNtIsT: *
The answer is in that article.
Welcome to the USSR ..... err ... USA.
[/QUOTE]
I dont think its the song... Eddie Vedder went far beyond that, he even took a bush mask during a concert (this was around the time when the Iraq attack started), threw it on the floor and stepped on it, he was never stopped or denied entry, was he?
This is simply ridiculous. Yusuf Islam a security risk? Nonsense!
Paranoia anyone? 
actually he is a security risk for…
"A government official said Islam was on the watch list because of “known associations and financial support to organizations believed to be aiding terrorism.”
“According to U.S. officials, he is an active supporter of Muslim charities”
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/09/22/plane.diverted.stevens/index.html
so apparently, it is illegal to support muslims in need, let them die of starvation, state sponsored terrorism and natural disasters dammit.
Heyy, don't be doubting our governmnt, the policies are perfect, it's all Cat Stevens' fault.
LONDON, England – The refusal to allow Singer Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, into the United States on national security grounds was a “slap in the face of sanity,” a Muslim group has said.
Islam was stopped from flying into Washington on Tuesday from London after his name appeared on a security watch list.
His plane was diverted 600 miles to a Maine airport, where Islam was questioned and detained before being sent back to Britain Wednesday.
Islam has become a prominent member of Britain’s Muslim community since abandoning his pop career and changing his name in the 1970s to devote himself to charity work and peace campaigning.
He is head of the Islamia Schools trust and has met UK Prime Minister Tony Blair as well as Prince Charles and Home Secretary David Blunkett in his new role.
Islamia Schools are affiliated with the Muslim Council of Britain, whose deputy general secretary, Mohammad Abdul Bari, expressed anger at Islam’s treatment.
“He is a very moderate man. We have absolutely no idea why this has happened. He is very well respected in the Muslim community,” Bari told UK’s Press Association.
“We are really appalled at what is happening. It is a slap in the face of sanity. If prominent, well-known personalities are treated like this, then how can there be bridge building?”
A spokesman for Islamia Schools also expressed disbelief at Islam’s detention.
“Everyone who has heard the news has been pretty sympathetic,” the spokesman, who was not identified, told PA. “He is more famed now as a peace activist than he was as a singer.”
The Muslim Association of Britain condemned the decision by U.S. authorities, which followed a move last month to prevent an Islamic professor taking up a teaching post in America.
Association spokesman Anas Altikriti said such actions prevented “open, constructive and positive dialogue” between the U.S. and Muslims around the world.
“It seems that the U.S. officials would rather that the untrue and distorted images of Islam and Muslims persist in the minds of its own citizens,” Altikriti said.
Islam, who was born Stephen Georgiou, took Cat Stevens as a stage name and had a string of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, including “Wild World” and “Morning Has Broken.”
He abandoned his music career and changed his name in the late 1970s after being persuaded by orthodox Muslim teachers that his lifestyle was forbidden by Islamic law, PA said.
But last year he released a re-recording of his 1970s hit “Peace Train” to express his opposition to the war in Iraq.
Apart from his schools work, Islam also has founded a charity raising money for orphans and families affected by war in areas such as Kosovo, Bosnia and Iraq.
He has criticized terrorist acts by Muslims, including the September 11, 2001, attacks and the school seizure in Beslan, Russia, earlier this month that left more than 300 dead, nearly half of them children, The Associated Press reported.
In a statement on his Web site, he wrote, “Crimes against innocent bystanders taken hostage in any circumstance have no foundation whatsoever in the life of Islam and the model example of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.”
After the September 11 attacks, Islam issued a statement saying: “No right thinking follower of Islam could possibly condone such an action: The Koran equates the murder of one innocent person with the murder of the whole of humanity.”
In July 2000, Stevens was denied entry to Israel amid reports that he had donated tens of thousands of dollars to Hamas, PA reported. Israel and the United States consider the Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist organization a terrorist group.
In a statement released by his record label Universal Music at the time, he said: “I want to make sure that people are aware that I’ve never ever knowingly supported any terrorist groups – past, present or future.”
Cat stevens a security risk 
what a joke now you know how good US intelligence is NOT!
Cat Stevens has long associated himself as a supporter of radical Islamic groups, including some who preach jihad.
You can't do jeehad in Amrika baby ;)
If Cat-Steven is a terrorist than we should definitely bomb London. They have been harboring terrorists fro quiet some time now, it’s time to pull the plug.
Yes, Cat is a "terrorist".
He did write "peace train" you know!
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by legbreakgoogly: *
Yes, Cat is a "terrorist".
He did write "peace train" you know!
[/QUOTE]
well i think CIA thinks that maybe he wanted to hijack that peace train and crash it into the pentagon ..
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Talwar: *
Cat Stevens has long associated himself as a supporter of radical Islamic groups, including some who preach jihad.
You can't do jeehad in Amrika baby ;)
[/QUOTE]
oh come on talwar.....when did Cat Stevens associate himself with radical Islamic groups....... Please provide relevant references in support of your claim.
yeah he does advocate the need of jihad as well regrouping of Muslim masses against evil forces, but no where in his lectures, he praises these terrorist organizations....The problem is that whoever mentions a word jihad in his conversation is labeled as a terrorist these days .
You know what, by taking such narrow-minded steps, American administration is making sure that gulf between the peace-loving Muslims and Westerners widens to an insurmountable extent. I understand that USA administration has every right to make sure that their country remains safe but one has to be careful before making hasty decisions that may have serious political and social implications across the globe.
Dont worry Phoenix desi, he is (Talwar) disgruntled hindu on a paki website. He needs to get his potshots in every chance he gets, he has nothing better to do in his life but try to mock islam so he can feel better about himself.
PD
Cat Stevens has a "charity" called Muslim Aid which has given money to certain jihadi groups in Arab nations, Pakistan and Afghanistan. He has continued to do so after 9/11 even though he publicly condemned the attacks. He has organized rallies associated with Tableeghi Jamaat in European nations where speakers supported Al Qaeda and attacks on Americans. He once publicly called for the killing of any British TV journalist who dares to dramatize Salman Rushdie's book...you know.
It may be hard for many to understand, but after 9/11, if you give money to "charities" with even one iota of connection to people who preach death to kafirs and such, you can forget about coming to America. If you try hard, you may get a slight detour to Guantanamo bay.
It is draconian and extreme, but from the American perspective, they could care less if some radical Muslims feel unwelcome if it can prevent even one terrorist attack. Maybe this way, those cyberjihadis who preach hate while enjoying Western comforts will stop and think before sending off a check to "Islamic charities" with dubious goals. Not saying that it is correct, but only understandable.
If Mr.Stevens/Islam wants to come to America again, he will perhaps reconsider his support to jihadi causes.