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YUSUF ISLAM - AN APOLOGY
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YUSUF ISLAM - AN APOLOGY
On 26th March 2007 we published an article headlined "YUSUF ISLAM IGNORES BARE-HEADED WOMEN" which had been circulated to us by World Entertainment News Network.
The article suggested, entirely falsely, that the singer Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) was so sexist and bigoted that he refused at an awards ceremony to talk to women who weren't wearing veils. The article went on, again falsely, to quote Mr Islam's manager as stating that Mr Islam would not speak with any women except his wife.
We now accept that these allegations (which were originally reported in B.Z, a German publication) are entirely without foundation, and that Mr Islam has never had any difficulties working with women, whether for religious or for any other reason. On the contrary, women feature among some of the most influential people in his core team.
We are happy to set the record straight, and wish to apologise unreservedly to Mr Islam for the distress caused by our article. Substantial compensation has been made to a charity of Mr Islam’s choice in recompense for this matter.
01 July 2008 12:53
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I`m happy to read, that you try to repair the damage you`ve done to Yusuf Islam.
Other people could take this for example.
Yusuf brings so much good and beautiful into this world,which absolutly needs someone
like him, who really builts bridges between cultures and religions,gives hope for
the future of so many children with the schools in London and the charity organisation "Small
kindness" he founded...
And his music speaks always directly to the hearts of people and makes so many eyes
bright.
I think it would be more important to write about this .
with kind regards
Theresa
Last year my daughter and I had the pleasure in attending a Café Session performed
by Mr Islam. Both of us would have liked the opportunity of approaching him at the
end of the evening. However, I had read the news article stating that he would not
speak to any woman whose head was uncovered; therefore, I decided that it might have been
embarrassing for both my daughter, and myself. We will probably never have this opportunity
of meeting Mr Islam again.
I find it appalling that individuals have to fabricate such stories at the expense
of others, causing pain, and embarrassment, just to get a front cover story in a
magazine, or newspaper. I am delighted that Mr Islam has now been cleared of such
allegations.
Rona Creaney




