Singer Formerly Known as Cat Stevens on Watch List
WASHINGTON, D.C. The United States wants the man formerly known as singer Cat Stevens out of the U.S. A plane carrying the singer was diverted last night, after his name showed up on a security list for supporting Muslim groups perhaps tied to terrorists.
The United Arlines flight had been headed to Washington, D.C. from London, when it was diverted to Bangor, Maine.
It was then that Stevens, who now goes under the name Yusuf Islam was taken into custody. Passengers didn't know what to think.
One passenger said, "They said get ready to land, welcome to Bangor, and we thought they were joking. We had no idea they would divert."
Authorities say Islam has been denied admission to the United States on national security grounds.
Cat Stevens abandoned the music business and turned to Islam after a near-fatal swimming accident in 1979.
Yusuf Islam formerly Cat Stevens: I struggled and I tried to swim and I was losing my energy. And suddenly I saw death for that moment. And without hesitation, I called out God, if you save me, I'll work for you.
It's alleged he gave thousands to the militant Palestinian group Hamas, and to the son of blind cleric Omar Abdel Rachman who was believed to have masterminded the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Yusuf Islam denies giving money to terrorists, and claims he thought he was donating to the poor.
Muslim Council Daud Abdullah had this to say about Islam, "He has no criminal record to my knowledge, on the contrary he is a man who promotes human justice, who promotes human rights."
Islam is on a "do not admit" list meaning he's not allowed to enter the U.S., yet his charity website claims Islam was in New York City four months ago for the charity's launch.
Security expert MJ Gohel says, "This has to be a matter of great concern, because what is the point of having a watch list if people can get on board who are on it? And once an individual is onboard, it's already too late."
Krijoni Kontakt