Sir Salman Rushdie slaps down Yusuf Islam 

To all of you who are still hating on Rushdie after all this time, explain to me why Islam should be above any whisper of criticism.

Kudos to the British government for keeping this man alive. He's a wonderful writer and a sparkling personality. So sad - the people baying for his blood must read the books they have been told to hate and they will realize that there was nothing to be offended by.

Gotta love the calm but intense confidence of Rushdie, a soft spoken, mild mannered man who actually has balls of steel.

The sad thing is his book is still banned in India

You've just made his point more valid.If Islam can't live with people who don't believe without threatening death, it deserves no respect.

I speak Arabic very fluently and "Islam", still to this day, means submission.

The fact that nearly 1/2 the people who rated this video dislike it is truly alarming.

I very distinctly remember Yusuf Islam being interviewed on Irish television and saying that he believed that Salman Rushdie should die for insulting the prophet, but because it was against British law he would not kill him himself. Whilst I do believe Yusuf hs moderated his views now, I do not think that he has ever retracted statements such as the above. As Rushdie said, Yusuf has not been Cat Stevens for a lon long time.

Says ''From the moment I could talk, I was ordered to listen.'' Becomes a Muslim.

"That's the ordinary life of a book", what a nice phrase. This is why he's a writer and we're not.

Also best friends with Christopher Hitchens and friends. He is one of the most admired writers among writers today. He is also a pretty cool guy in his interviews. It is a shame though what happened to "Cat-Yusef-Stevens". Really scary to watch him admit that Rushdie should die & that he would do it if ordered to. Strange and incredible change of heart if I ever did see one Ahhh...Islam. The "Religion of Peace"..

Stevens called out for Rushdie to be killed. It was a disgraceful episode and he should have been arrested.

"That's pussy thinking. You have to not think like that." If only more newspaper editors and journalists and the general public thought like this, then Western society would be in better shape today.

As Americans we support free speech 👍🏽👍🏿👍🏼👍🏾👍

Every time I watch this I laugh. Salman is one of those people that can so subtly convey humour.

It sure aint a lie man. No matter how much great humanitarian work he has performed, Yusuf did state that he would like to attend a burning of Salman Rushdie.

I'm 23 and a big fan ofCat Stevens. He WAS a great singer and songwriter.

If you all hate the book so much, just don't read it. Simple. It's just a novel.

Lol, Salman Rushdie slapping everyone down, including the host.

"Thats pussy thinking." Hahahaha Rushdie you're awesome!

Another Saturday night and I ain’t got no Fatwa........

I still love the old Cat Stevens. His songs are sublime. I do not know whatever happened to that Cat Stevens. I don't know who this Yusuf person is, either.

Who is here after Salman Rushdie attack?

While I recognize that you may feel hurt by someone 'blaspheming' something, Islam needs to grow up, as a Religion, to the point where it can take criticism without being so reactionary. If Yusaf Islam supported the fatwa on Rushdie, than he did far worse than Rushdie ever did ... unless you consider murdering a person for the pride of a billion people to be okay.

if cat stevens called for Salman to be murdered.... then he gave up his humanity and forfeited record sales. tough shit, 'smart guy'

Rushdie is a great thinker, and the kind we need more of. 'Yusuf' chose the dark path of hatred and lack of self conciousness in favor of adopted ideals. Rushdie continued to grow as an individual, and 'Yusuf' has continued to shrink.

Btw.....did you watch the video that Jaykerouac2 told you to search for? Just wondering what you thought of Yusuf Islam endorsing the death fatwa on Salman Rushdie.

I'm glad you say "working together". The Muslims that do have a problem with the movie need to understand that in the civilised world, anything and everything is up for criticism. If you don't agree, that's fine, but don't kill people for it. If you justify killing people by simply taking offence to something, that opens the door for anyone and everyone to kill whoever they like... I'm sure most people have said something that is offensive to other people in the course of their lifetime.

He is so right. It's not Cat Stevens anymore. He's nasty.

If I didn't agree with someone's view I don't go outside with a bomb strapped to me -

Rushdie has some balls.

Any religion that can't take criticism can't possibly be the right religion.

I read TSV many years ago out of pure curiosity and fell in love with a well-told story. The controversy behind the fatwah takes a back seat IMO. The Moor's Last Sigh also amazed me. Rushdie can really write.

I've seen the video. The context is very clear, and Yusuf's tone is very clear. He supported the fatwa. He might have explained it away as a 'joke' after there was a backlash, but it's pretty clear he was being serious in the video

Salman Rushdie was recently attacked on stage by a Muslim who stabbed him several times with a knife, stabbing one of his eyes out. So much for Yusuf Islam's threats being harmless, and for Islam being "a religion of peace".

Aged like fine wine

Every person who works for PEACE is a hero.

Have you seen your GP recently?

Quran 3:56 "As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help" There are 108 more.

Earlier this year I attended a show at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. One of the acts among an eclectic mix was Canadian act Frazey Ford, who performed a sweet cover of Cat Steven's classic 'How Can I Tell You'. This brought to mind many more of Cat's beautiful songs such as Peace Train, Morning Has Broken & Father & Son to name just a few. The image of this sensitive artist singing these wonderful songs to rapt audiences of youngsters in the 70s was recalled vividly in my minds eye. My reverie was soon shattered, however, as my thoughts fast forwarded nearly 20 years or so to the image of Yusuf Islam repeatedly endorsing calls for the murder of a man for the crime of writing a book (video available on You Tube). The man in question was of course Salman Rushdie. My brain struggled to reconcile that Cat and Yusuf were one and the same person. What kind of development path leads to such an outcome? Its like personal growth in reverse, or perhaps more akin to a particularly insidious cancer. A cancer of the mind. Like cancer, the sufferer of ideological (in this case religious) intolerance often does not know he/she has the disease until it is too late. The human brain is an amazing organ, as far as we know the most delicate, magnificent and beautiful thing in our universe. It keeps working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year and It does this from before you leave the womb, right up until you die or you find religion.

it's a shame about Cat Stevens. I'll just remember the old him.

Any religion that calls for the following: "The (religious book) Quran makes it clear: If someone defames the prophet, then he must die." Is disturbing!

I was expecting George Stephanopoulos.

When he was Cat Stevens he was not a Muslim and he was about making good music about peace such as ( Peace Train ) I don't condem him joining a faith , however to be so radicalized and losing the person he once was is sad.

Back before his conversion, there were stories that at least a few mental health experts believed that Cat Stevens was a schizophrenic. His conversion to Islam and subsequent actions give credence to that belief.

For freedom of speech and freedom and democracy

LOL. As a boy i always thought Cat Stevens was criminally handsome. Disappointing to hear he might actually be monstrous.

where does it say this please can you bring up the exact verse and the context to back up your view

when are people going to stop believing in imaginary magical douchbags in the sky

OH..... Never mind.. I just looked across the page and there is a video entitled "Cat Stevens calls for the death of Salman Rushdie. OK..I suddenly get why Rushdie might be inclined to hate him.lol.

1966. Then came Matthew & Son and I'm gonna get me a gun was his 3rd single. I agree with Tillerman. Love his first three albums with Island records.

You are talking about negotiation and cannot even spell "negotiate" lol priceless!

Cat Stevens was a great performer and songwriter and then he fell under the spell of religious barbarism. It was very sad.

The world would be much safer if we had more muslims like Salman.

He looks like one of those enemies you jump ontop of in the Mario games.

And Yusuf Islam decided he doesn't want certain ppl killed. So he's supposedly, apparently changed. BUT, George asks Mr. Rushdie if he's a different guy. I was annoyed. Like why does he have to change

So much for the peace train...

I can really feel the love in this conversation.

If you go to the top of the page and search for 'Salman Rushdie Yusuf Islam' you will find a video of a UK TV programme in which Yusuf Islam appeared to support the fatwa against rushdie.

Cat Stevens, that's his name

A good point, kudos.

Get the impression that there are a few people coming in this thread under different names so they can say the same things over and over?

WTF are you rambling about? Are you saying it was acceptable for him to call for Salman Rushdies death?

I got one question. Why all the dislikes?

Thank you Sir Salman😁 for helping my dad find Islam and revert. Back in the 1980s, you criticized Islam so much it prompted my dad to do some research on it and then to find out the truth about it. So thank you 😄

I apologise completely. I assume everyone has my poor sense of humour and I also had hoped you had realised I was 'joshing' you and you were understanding our conversation to be on that level. I am no fan of Salman Rushdie but I am also no fan of those who reacted so vehemently. I do think that everyone can write and say what they want providing they are not inciting anyone to kill others. That goes for westeners or anywhere else. I hope you accept that as I do value your opinion and feelings.

Search RU-vid for: 'Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam Calls For The Murder Of Salman Rushdie - He Now Denies Ever Doing This' Listen to Cat/Yusuf's words, especially the last 40 seconds.

I hope he pulls through.

Few years ago a relative brought up a topic about Islam. I said being totally ignorant at that time of Islam being a religion which was essentially the same as other religions, I knew most muslims seemed to be totally devoted to god and prayed 5 times day. But, she said no, no it's not like Christianity, or other religions. I then spend over 2 years learning and comparing Islam with Christianity as a starting point. What I found was shocking, yes, there are several passages promoting peace and fairness to all. However, this message of peace was replaced with passages of waging war on non believers, or apostates who leave Islam must be killed, and verses like don't not make friends of people of book - Christians and Jews because they are friends and must not be trusted. There are 164 verses of relating jihad in the quran. There are verses to lie to defend Islam, or to wife. Moderate muslims either haven't read the whole Quran, or we do not know if they are lying. This is problem with Islam. It was based on teachings of prophet Muhammed, who ordered the killings of over 900 men and boys from one village because they did not want to convert to Islam. Those ISIS rebels are not extreme they are only following the foot steps of their prophet. Most of them think as good muslims if they fight and die they will be rewarded with virgins as martyrs. The writer is correct, you see Muslims some even imams proclaim Islam is a religion of peace, we now know this is wrong, Islam means to submission. The problem I feel is that once you become a muslim you cant just leave it. Because your family will disown you, or you may sentenced to death because they regard you as an apostate. Did you know, Muhammed in Quran clearly says that Jesus was born by virgin mother her name was Mary. But does not accept his crucifixion. When I discovered this I knew Islam was a false religion. How, I can explain. If Quran accepts and as most muslims do, jesus was born by Virgin mother then he must be Devine. Thus making jesus more Devine then Muhammed , as Muhammed was created though sexual intercourse and jesus was not. So to name him jesus as a prohet and not greater than Muhammed makes this ideology false. Plus, if we compare, prohet Isiah in 53. Mentions jesus birth and contributions to world, and dying for sins of world. Jesus healed the sick, and cured the blind and there are countless witnesses by many sources that he was was also crucified. He promoted peace and love your enemy .Muhammed on other hand promoted violence and ordered the killings of non muslims. Both muslims and non-muslims are still suffering for more than 1400 years thanks to Muhammed and his so called religion of peace. Enough is enough, we all need to leave this bondage called Islam, live life and contribute positively to world. We need our muslim brothers and sisters to help and make this world better place for all.

Yusuf Islam Statement (8.12.22): "Saddened and shocked to learn about the horrific act on Salman Rushdie. My wish is for all of us to live in peace. May God grant him and everyone else who has suffered from the manic pandemic of violence in this world, a full recovery. Peace."

Wonder what Yusaf is thinking after this week.

there is only when version as far as I know so from where did you bring this information!!!!!

I really don't know one way or the other..nor do I care really...all I know is I'm glad Cat/Yusuf is back and I'm lovin' it..and he has many fans old and new for a reason

A great man. Inevitable that some POS would try to take him out.

Will there be a sequel. ?

Did Rushdie just say ‘that’s pussy thinking’?!?! The man is a legend.

Kat Stevens. If there's one thing more disheartening than a religious zealot, it's a born again religious zealot.

I'll second that emotion!

Is the capital letter system also reversed?

The clips are taken out of context in general. The Wikipedia article on "Cat Steven's comments about Salman Rushdie" has good citations and gives both the comments made, Yusuf Islam's explanation of the comments and Rushdie's views on the comments.

hes a legend

1/2 Qu'ran (3:55 - 3:56) [Mention] when Allah said, "O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you [in submission to Allah alone] superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ.

How does he walk with some gigantic balls?

It was a named good novel!

Words of wisdom as always from this man, who lets not forget had a fatwah against him for writing a book you could not make it up...

I loved Cat Stephens. His songs in one of my favourite films "Harold And Maude" are amazing. But Yusef Islam is a perfect example of how religion can corrupt a person's very humanity, and most especially Islam. Listening to him defend a deluded lunatic like the Ayatollah Khomeni's so-called "Fatwa" on Rushdie is enough to turn your blood to stone.

why calling him "sir" salman rushdie in your title ??????

Thank you for your support

Why he is saying that? I love yusuf Islam and his songs. I am playing guitar cause of him.

Yusuf has a new song it's called the "Decapitating Train"

Can you direct me to somewhere that this is documented, that he said this?

This was about 2000 years ago. Tell me something you've done since then.

Great Book, and Congratulations Salman for coming out of the islam trap.

Yusuf is NOT a good guy??? Curioius statement. I have no idea what he's on about because I'm unaware of anything that Yusuf has said that would lead Rushdie to say that. I'm not saying he isnt right,only that I'm unaware of any issues.

Could someone explain this to me in more depth ?

He is just a child that not get a candy.

Brave man.

“So much about the circumstances of my becoming a Muslim. Since then I have been asked, time and again: ‘Why did you embrace Islam? What was it that attracted you particularly?’­ and I must confess that I do not have any single satisfactory answer. It was not any particular teaching that attracted me, but the whole wonderful, inexplicably coherent structure of moral teaching and practical life-programme. I could not say, even now, which aspect of it appeals to me more than any other. Islam appears to me like a perfect work of architecture. All its parts are harmoniously conceived to complement and support each other; nothing is superfluous and nothing lacking; and the result is a structure of absolute balance and solid composure. Probably this feeling that everything in the teachings and postulates of Islam is ‘in its proper place’ had created the strongest impression on me. There might have been, along with it, other impressions as well which today it is difficult for me to analyze. After all, it was a matter of love; and love is composed of many things: of our desires and our loneliness, of our high aims and our shortcomings, of our strengths and our weaknesses. So it was in my case. Islam came over to me like a robber who enters a house by night; but, unlike a robber, it entered to remain for good.” [Islam at the Crossroads, p.11, by Muhammad Asad (a.k.a. Leopold Weiss)]

So do you claim to be an expert in world religions by claiming that ALL religions contradict themselves?

Read Victory City over this summer. It is magnificent.