Yusuf Islam Restates his Message to the Pope

Yusuf Islam Restates his Message to the Pope

LONDON, September 26/PRNewswire/ -- Yusuf Islam believes that the negative focus by the media on his recent
statement regarding Pope Benedict XVI was unnecessary, and that Yusuf Islam's
respect for the head of the Catholic Church and his position remains
unaltered. However, he believes the quote the Pontiff chose was inappropriate
and suggested another quote by Mahatma Gandhi, whose interpretation of Islam
was much more peaceful. In Young India, he wrote:

"I become more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a
place for Islam in those days. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter
self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for pledges, his
intense devotion to his friends and followers and his intrepidity, his
fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and his own mission. These and not
the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle."

In response, Yusuf has decided to speed the re-release of his earlier
book on God's Messenger, 'The Life of The Last Prophet', to help people see
another side of this great religion which links to Christianity and Judaism,
through the life and story of the man who was sent to represent it. The
Audio/Book will be available from his label, Mountain of Light.

Yusuf is also sending a personally signed copy of the book to the Pope
for his library; hoping the understanding and dialogue between people of the
great faiths of Islam and Christianity will advance towards a more
enlightened future of knowledge, charity and peaceful co-existence.

Note to Editors:

Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens

Release to be cited in its entirety, partial quotes not permitted

Issued by: Ya Records

On the web: http://www.yusufislam.com

Source: Ya Records

Press enquiries to: +44(0)20-7372-5171 press@yusufislam.org.uk

-------
Profile: intent