Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam) Does the Dip and Dive

[jbg]

Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam) accepted a New York Times interview (a paper to the left of the Toronto Star), to try to rehabilitate his tarnished image since he through his lot in with the Islamists. He insists that Islam and Islamic education are forces for peace, and yet refuses to condemn terrorists in plain words. (link to full article). Excerpts below:

For all your devotion to education and good deeds, government officials in various countries have tried to link you to extremist groups, including Hamas. What do you think of Hamas?

That’s an extremely loaded question.

Can you try to answer it?

I have never supported a terrorist group or any group that did other than charity and good to humankind.

O.K., but many of us here in the States would like to see moderate Muslims make more of an effort to denounce the extremist fringe of the faith. Very few mainstream Muslims have publicly criticized their radical brethren.

If I am not an example of that, then tell me, Who is?

So would you say you have contempt for a terrorist group like Hamas?

I wouldn’t put those words in my mouth. I wouldn’t say anything on that issue. I’m here to talk about peace. I’m a man who does want peace for this world, and I don’t think you will achieve that by putting people into corners

[Catchme]

Pfft, he answered the questions what was the the interviewer actually seeking, what a pile of doodo!

He said it all right there that needed to be said:

O.K., but many of us here in the States would like to see moderate Muslims make more of an effort to denounce the extremist fringe of the faith. Very few mainstream Muslims have publicly criticized their radical brethren.

If I am not an example of that, then tell me, Who is?

[jbg]

Pfft, he answered the questions what was the the interviewer actually seeking, what a pile of doodo!

He said it all right there that needed to be said:

O.K., but many of us here in the States would like to see moderate Muslims make more of an effort to denounce the extremist fringe of the faith. Very few mainstream Muslims have publicly criticized their radical brethren.

If I am not an example of that, then tell me, Who is?

Where are the examples of such denunuciations? And why did he refuse to also denounce Hamas?

[Charles Anthony]

And why did he refuse to also denounce Hamas?

He is a public figure and he may fear a reprisal. I would if I was him.

He is in a no-win situation and all he can do is promote peace.

[MightyAC]

Exactly. I can't think of a famous Israeli that is not a politician but what if a famous Israeli was asked to denounce the excessive violence and aggression perpetrated by his/her government? They'd be in a similar position and the best response would be to promote peace.

Another example would be American reporters asking Yao Ming to condemn China for its human rights record and lack of freedoms.

[M.Dancer]

Where are the examples of such denunuciations? And why did he refuse to also denounce Hamas?

I have never supported a terrorist group or any group that did other than charity and good to humankind.

I think that sums it up.

I also think he is not interested in becomoing aprt of the war between Hamas and Israel. It is enough that he does not support them.

I have a lot of respect for the man and he has never....

through (sic) his lot in with the Islamists.

He was at the centre of controversy years ago about the satanic letters and Rusdie....he was asked what he thought about the fatwa...he said what the quaran said.....

years later he spoke about it saying he had only been a muslin for a little while at the time and he spoke without really understanding...sort of like a newly reborn christian being asked about the bible saying that adulterers should be stoned...yes stoning is in the bible and the bible is the unfallable word of god and yes the punishment for apostasy is in the quran.....and so on.

In short he said he believed then and now, he does not support a fatwa and a pronoucement of death against rushdie.

[sharkman]

And why did he refuse to also denounce Hamas?

He is a public figure and he may fear a reprisal. I would if I was him.

He is in a no-win situation and all he can do is promote peace.

He would not call Hamas what it is? In the US, wouldn't that put him in some danger from radical hard right wingers? While criticizing Hamas would expose him to the ire of Muslim hard lliners. But if he had integrity, he would speak his mind and let the chips fall where they may.

[Catchme]

Pfft, he answered the questions what was the the interviewer actually seeking, what a pile of doodo!

He said it all right there that needed to be said:

O.K., but many of us here in the States would like to see moderate Muslims make more of an effort to denounce the extremist fringe of the faith. Very few mainstream Muslims have publicly criticized their radical brethren.

If I am not an example of that, then tell me, Who is?

Where are the examples of such denunuciations? And why did he refuse to also denounce Hamas?

jbg, he said he was an example of the denouncement of the extremist fringe of the faith.

For me, people who exemplify the actions on what needs addressing, do greater works than those who spout againgst things and yet take no action to change what they were spouting about. Words are easier than actions and living the example is way more difficult than making hollow statements.

[jbg]

Exactly. I can't think of a famous Israeli that is not a politician but what if a famous Israeli was asked to denounce the excessive violence and aggression perpetrated by his/her government? They'd be in a similar position and the best response would be to promote peace.

Another example would be American reporters asking Yao Ming to condemn China for its human rights record and lack of freedoms.

Plenty do. They're part of a coalition of parties generally referred to as "Labor" (sometimes misspelled "Labour").

He would not call Hamas what it is? In the US, wouldn't that put him in some danger from radical hard right wingers? While criticizing Hamas would expose him to the ire of Muslim hard lliners. But if he had integrity, he would speak his mind and let the chips fall where they may.

That's just the point. In Israel and the United States people who criticize or even support extremism through words are generally in no danger at all. In the Muslim world opponents are in mortal danger.

[jefferiah]

I see what JBG was pointing out as well. It is sort of funny that he refused to make a denouncement of Hamas.

[JerrySeinfeld]

I see what JBG was pointing out as well. It is sort of funny that he refused to make a denouncement of Hamas.

I have had VERY similar conversations with Muslims. The responses to direct questions about support/denouncement of militant sects or violence from Islamic groups were the same: evasive.

[jbg]

I see what JBG was pointing out as well. It is sort of funny that he refused to make a denouncement of Hamas.

I have had VERY similar conversations with Muslims. The responses to direct questions about support/denouncement of militant sects or violence from Islamic groups were the same: evasive.

I actually had a very frank conversation, over the phone, with a Muslim Iraqi expat who graduated from a major Canadian law school and is now practicing law in one of Canada's major cities. While he makes clear that he's no lover of Israel, he has said, and this is virtually a direct quote: "Since the 1600's the Muslims and their leaders have made one bad decision after another. It just gets worse and worse". He made it clear that he was in Canada to better himself, but would go back if he saw any chance at helping his people. He added quickly he sincerely doubted that would ever happen.