Yusuf Islam

I once wrote an essay titled Swedish Artist Lars Vilks and What “Allahu Akbar” Does Not Mean wherein I noted the fact that “Allahu” does not mean “God” but is a specific reference to a particular god, “Allah.” Some complained that in Arabic “Allah” is technically a term as generic as the English word “God.”

Overall, while Salman Rushdie had to live in seclusion due to fearing murder, Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam lives a happy celebrity life and continues to profit from his craft. He ultimately looks upon the entire episode with disinterest, “…as if it was the only memorable thing I was reported to have done in my almost sixty years living on this planet (yawn).” Yes, the “yawn” is in the original.

That his comment proceeded forth from his study of Islam is something that he affirmed various times:

“When I studied (what the Koran says about this subject) I found that, yes, the evidence is all there,” Islam told “World Monitor” [cable TV news program]… “(Rushdie) has been irresponsible with his freedom of speech. . . . [these ellipses in original] Any writer who abuses the Prophet or indeed any prophet, under Islamic law the sentence for that is actually death. . . . [these ellipses in original] (Rushdie's writings are) as good as stabbing Muslims in the heart.”…

But let us go back to the lecture as a March 2, 1989 AD press release by Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam titled, “Yusuf Islam Issues A Formal Statement On The Rushdie Affair” elucidates the matter:

Under Islamic Law, the ruling regarding blasphemy is quite clear; the person found guilty of it must be put to death. Only under certain circumstances can repentance be accepted. On 21st February, I was speaking to a group of students at the Kingston Polytechnic, and in response to a question, I simply stated the Islamic ruling on the Rushdie affair…

But, Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam referenced the New Testament as well, claimed that “regarding blasphemy…like…the Gospel – the Qur'an considers it, without repentance, as a capital offense” and proved it via both, a quotation and a citation:

“Matthew, 12: 31-32, Jesus is reported to have said, “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit, shall not be forgiven.”

Note that he ultimately blames the victim, he still blames Salman Rushdie, “The book itself destroyed the harmony between peoples and created an unnecessary international crisis.”
The book destroyed harmony and created an international crisis?
Rushdie destroyed harmony and created an international crisis?
Nay, the Ayatollah Khomeini, his fatwa and the particular Muslims who supported it destroyed harmony and created an international crisis.

Next, note that for some reason he decides to throw some raw meat at both, those who oppose and support him,

Due to Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity (and glorify a death for blasphemy supporter) Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam and the fracas over the fatwa against Salman Rushdie due to “The Satanic Verses” is a hot topic again.

Take a wild guess as to what happened when I pointed out that the fact that Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam—who was featured in Jon Stewarts “Rally to Restore Sanity”—supported murdering Salman Rushdie for blasphemy?

Any guesses?

Anyone?

Well, excuses were made for Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam supporting murdering Salman Rushdie for blasphemy and instead, I was besmirched.

What a time to be alive!

William Lane Craig – South Africa Debates, part 1: vs. Yusuf Islam on “Identifying Jesus: Is He Man or both God and Man?”

William Lane Craig recently engaged in two notable debates in South Africa: Capetown and Pretoria. He states that, “Professional recordings of all the debates and conference talks were made and will be disseminated throughout South Africa”; hopefully they will find their way into cyberspace.

As for the Islam vs. Christianity debate:

…about a thousand people crowded the auditorium that night. The debate was anything but dull!

Yes, he is back and this time that crazy cat is yet again attempting to gain some American dollars towards his cause, whatever that may be this time…

This time Cat Stevens, who long ago renamed himself Yusuf Islam, is selling his wears by the toned down name of simply Yusuf. One can only wonder why this would be. Actually, his name is Steven Demetre Georgiou aka Cat Stevens aka Yusuf Islam aka Yusuf.

Richard Dawkins' Delusions

Professor Richard Dawkins has written:

1. 1. The Satanic Verses, a Review
   

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As I mentioned in my post The Last Templar, the Gospel of Jesus and the Gospel of Judas I wanted to post about the gospel of Judas as we got closer to the release of the movie "Angels and Demons" which will be released on May 15, 2009 AD.

I thought that pop-culture was sure to revisit the very same historical myths that are so very popular with conspiracy theorists and those lacking in the knowledge of History 101.