|
 |
|
Stevens said he
was moved by the scale of the tsunami crisis into planning a
live dialogue in Jakarta Monday, January 31.
|
JAKARTA, January
28 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Although he has long
abandoned his career, Yusuf Islam, formerly known as famous pop
singer Cat Stevens, decided to return to the singing career for a
humanitarian reason.
Stevens said he was
moved by the scale of the tsunami crisis into planning a live
performance in Jakarta Monday, January 31.
“Everybody in the
world has been affected by this disaster. It is very difficult not to
want to do something,” he was quoted by Agence France-Presse (AFP) as
telling reporters in Jakarta Friday, January 28.
Islam has recorded a
new song in response to the massive scenes of damage and huge death
toll.
“Indian Ocean”
features Magne Furuholmen of Norwegian group A-Ha and Neil Primrose of
Britpop band Travis and is to be released next month.
The record makes use
of musical instruments the singer has eschewed since 1977 when he
embraced Islam. However, he said it did not represent a revival of his
pop career.
Islam has rarely recorded music with instruments since his reverting to
the Muslim faith in 1977, according to BBC News Online.
“It's not a return to
Cat Stevens, I see it more as a natural response to express my concern
as a Muslim and as an artist; I believe both can exist side by side
particularly when the cause is right,” he said in an earlier statement.
Islam, who had hits
in the 1960s and 70s with “Matthew and Son”, “Peace Train” and “Wild
World”, was also due to open in Indonesia a regional office of his
charity, Small Kindness.
Aceh Visit
Islam highlighted his
main focus was that of children orphaned by the killer waves. He was due
to fly Saturday, January 29, to Aceh province, where most of Indonesia's
230,000 tsunami victims perished.
Islam, who owns one
of the most successful Muslim schools in Britain, was expected to pray
in the region's main mosque before flying over the worst affected areas.
The singer's live
performance in Jakarta will make him one of the most prominent
international artists to perform in the world's largest Muslim-populated
country for several months.
A string of big name
acts, including Norah Jones (news), Missy Elliott and Alicia Keys, have
all cancelled shows due to security fears in the wake of deadly
bombings.
Millions
Islam set an example
for other Muslims in Britain, who rushed to help the victims of
tsunami in an unprecedented scene of solidarity.
As part of the British
response to the Tsunami disaster, Islamic Relief held a fundraising
dinner entitled ‘One Month, One Night, One Million – Night for a
Million’ this week.
Interestingly, the
dinner raised in excess of £3.75 million in what truly became a
Night for Millions. Donations came from all sections of society;
local communities, businesses and individuals.
Donations came exactly
one month since the Tsunami struck the region with devastating
consequences.
“It was feared that a
million may be too difficult in light of the other UK charity events
which had raised several millions and were able to attract pop stars
and even the Prime Minister,” the Muslim Association of Britain said
in a press release sent to IslamOnline.net Thursday.
Speaking on this
occasion Waseem Yaqub, UK Manager for Islamic Relief, said he was
“overwhelmed by the response” and hoped “this generosity from the
community will continue long after the media eye is turned else
where”.
Whilst recognizing the
generosity of the entire British public, he was proud that the
Muslim community was playing an important part in the relief effort.
Press
reports have said if a Muslim community in Europe was to be awarded
first prize in integration and remarkable achievements, the British
would be definitely singled out, and deservedly so.
