Yusuf Islam at GPU

When I embraced Islam in 1977, one of the first things I learnt, even before I learned al Fatiha, was to say assalamu alaikum. Even before I was taught al Fatiha, I was taught how to say assalamu alaikum. peace be with you. And our Prophet (saws), peace be upon him: “You will not enter heaven until you believe. And you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to a thing which if you do it will increase love amongst you? Spread salaam.”

Give the salutation of peace to the world. That is our responsibility.

At around 11 minutes, he sings “The End,” which was originally composed for 1985’s Live Aid, and is on his new album An Other Cup.

Yusuf Islam

Yusuf Islam has been especially interesting to watch lately. After converting to Islam in the late 1970s, the former Cat Stevens withdrew from the music world. He re-emerged in the 1990s, tentitively, with islamic songs, nasheed, in english. He tip toed back into the pop world, re-recording his pop hit Father and Son with Ronan Keating. Most recently, he has released his first full pop album in decades, An Other Cup.

But, out of everything he has done as Cat Stevens and Yusuf Islam, it is this video from a celebration of the Prophet’s birthday in Abu Dhabi.

I think these songs appeal very strongly to me because they mix the traditional muslim style of nasheed with a more western, almost a gather around the campfire feel.