Yusuf / Cat Stevens on reconciling his past and present | The InnerView

In a deeply personal interview Yusuf / Cat Stevens speaks to The InnerView about his life in the spotlight and his evolution as an artist and Muslim. Back on stage and performing some of his old hits, he tells Imran Garda how, even in his 70s, he's still trying to find a sense of harmony between his past and present.
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[@jwadeteacher]

Yusuf is so accurate when he explains how his music removes anxiety and restlessness from our soul and replaces it with a sense of peacefulness and a desire for harmony and serenity. Thank you, Yusuf. The world needs you.

[@daylefloyd6404]

Music period is about this. No credit given to this particular singer

[@qisyaizzia5045]

He is at another level...❤❤❤❤

[@sherribauer884]

Im thrilled to rediscover Cat Stevens as Yusuf.Always,will always love his music Thank you

[@floralevario5084]

Very good interviewer. Knowledgeable, not exploitive. Love Yusef/Cat for 50 years. His songs are even more relevant today.

[@joemccarthy7120]

So you are OK with his support for the order to murder Rushdie?

[@atiqrahman7289]

Very good interview. Love this man for his honesty and spirituality.

[@joemccarthy7120]

@@atiqrahman7289 There is nothing admirable or noble in Islam.

[@peterdunn8603]

This man is like a fine wine he improves with age ,he's voice like all the great singers is effortless long may he continue to entertain us old and new.

[@NorthOf60Gaming]

Great Singer, I was a big fan in the 70s and still remain a big fan, so happy to see him playing and recording again, this is a good interview.

[@Jim-ok9zi]

He’s a musical genius such a talented man. I wonder if he knows he had such a impact on people’s lives. 👏👏👏

[@traciwilliams2198]

I often wondered as well. HE, was the one who inspired my love for music, especially soft rock. I will FOREVER LOVE you Yusuf!!!❤❤

[@marioc.6436]

Anyway we did meet un 1991 after I was invited by your office in Digswell Street. Then in 1997 I had the opportunity to meet you and talk almost every Saturday at 3pm in the regents Park mosque. Thank you for all the benefits I got out of these conversations and your music and your kind personality. I do not expect that you remember me but wanted to express my gratitude. I wish, God willing we will meet again once more before one of us has to leave this world. May God bless and protect you and your loved ones .Salam aleikum wa rahmatullah .kind regards from Austria. Mario

[@BarryRands]

I'm one of those ex-hippies now in my 70's that loved Cat's early work, especially his songs that revealed part of his own spiritual journey, which many of us were also experiencing at that time. My go to song in the morning is of course "Morning Has Broken" and have told my sons to make sure that is played at my memorial service. One of my favorite lines in that song is "Praise with elation, praise every morning, God's recreation of the new day". I like to think that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe is joyfully working every new morning... as if it were "playtime"... and we get to be playmates, working and playing in harmony with our Sustainer as we together make each day special for ourselves and the world. Glad to see Yusuf/Cat is back on the scene bringing his creative talents back to the playground!

[@sweetcaroline2060]

To promote peace and strive to educate in order to make the world a better place is what we're all called to do. Yusuf Cat Stevens is doing his part. More power to him! Sing on, ROCK ON, Yusuf. God bless. 🙏 ❤🙏

[@peterbustin2683]

Amazing, lovely man.

[@isabellezablocki7447]

Quite a man. His songs bring back my late brother who died way too early at 61 and who enjoyed his songs so much. My brother became Jewish just like Yusuf became muslim with all his heart.

[@thefunkyphantom1322]

First time seeing/hearing Imran Garda. What a great interviewer. Comfortable and erudite and respectful and conscious of the rhythm of the conversation.. he’s a natural. Thank you. So great to see Yusuf here. I saw him in Los Angeles at an industry showcase when he decided to return to the stage. I yelled from the back row.. “You’re the best Yusuf!” He responded immediately on his microphone.. “no brother, HE”s the best” and he pointed upwards. This man has not just touched the soul of the world.. he has added to it.

[@dayamitrasaraswati6276]

This man is a pinnacle for uniting everyone in peace together. Pity there aren't more like him. All we can do is be inspired to be like him. The biggest thrill for me was going to his concert in Sydney a few years ago after being a fan for most of my life. 😚

[@ploppill34]

Except for when he called for the death of Salman Rushdie

[@dayamitrasaraswati6276]

@@ploppill34 Which was not meant seriously. The friendly media, as usual, put their own spin on it and made it seem more than it was.

[@toutelaveriterienquelaveri9730]

​@@ploppill34 il a bien fait comme tous bons musulmans.

[@schpoe123]

This was excellent...thank you

[@user-wb4cl7wm7n]

A brilliant composer the message in his songs will continue to speak to future generations; how unfortunate he has made statements that he should not have done and that repentance and apologies are necessary for his soul.

[@krissybutler1357]

True legend we love your music, glad to have you back, when you find a path you stay on it 🌟

[@FZBerrfai22]

Father and Son was the first song I listened to in English

[@megymama]

INTERVIEWER IS AWESOME.. HE IS TRYING TO CHOOSE HIS WORDS FOR NOT HURT CAT STEVENS.. CONGRATS🎉

[@naturegirl4803]

Really I enjoyed this interview very much. 👍

[@dandymix3127]

I would do anything to meet him! Precious human being.😢 there is no surprise here, his music in his youth is a constant search of the self and of the spirit and essentially religion. Although I am not Muslim I am comforted that he found his place and he knows his work has healed millions

[@krissmith9361]

Excellent interview. A wonderful talent who has grown and developed through the years.

[@bethstrenkoski2311]

Thank you for your inspiring words of unity and your noble skills for teaching peace. You are such a help to this Earth, towards harmony. Thanks also to your wife and family. I remember today…..that every action, every moment counts in the creation of peace, no matter who we are. Thank you. Peace.

[@luziaandrade782]

Só tenho que agradecer a Deus por ter nos presenteado com vc 🙏❤️

[@rafaeldielos]

Cat Stevens on reconciling his past and present. Good!... Very good Cat Stevens!... A gift for the future.

[@grizzlybear4]

Oh Yusuf, please come to Pittsburgh or Buffalo, if you are coming to the USA. I have been a fan since the late 1960s... Thank you.

[@chraman169]

Wooooooow what a coincidence. Just found an old Album yesterday.

[@turnsout5061]

I love Cat / Yusuf. Have for the majority of my life. I was insanely lucky enough to catch him on that very brief US tour he did on 12/4/14 in Philadelphia. It was transcendental. Everything one could possibly hope for.

[@martinalandscapes1857]

I love the idea of bridging differences and lowering the inherent ignorance in people about each other with music. That what it was created for. Bards of mediaeval times brought people of the tribe together with their talents. Now the audience is global and challenging. Talented people who realise their position is an opportunity to bring more goodness, kindness, generosity through their example is admirable. Most people understand politics and economic system of any kind is not here to jell people into amicable cooperation. It is more likely with education through art, ordinary relationships, talks, and work together on projects which have no one sided self-interest in their agenda. Peace train and other peace initiatives are essential as people who remember dread of conflicts of the past and present are passing away. More people realise we are very similar in our needs in life, and belief is a personal choice, more understanding and acceptance there will be, hopefully. Keep going.

[@patrickjamesmurphy]

that is an incredibly skilled interviewer. it's not easy to make the conversation so real with such an experienced, skilled, and special interviewee. watched part of this just now, but will finish it later. excellent work!

[@shinningstarsinthedarknight1]

Yusuf Islam's "tala al badru alina" was one of the greatest nasheed.

[@squishmallowfan025]

Just massively talented - and despite the spirituality he has that British sense of self-deprecation and self-awareness. It's all kind of unique.

[@christianburgwald4648]

A great man

[@RebaMcEntireofficial.]

Thank you so much sir !

[@the-wonder-of-it-all]

Yusuf "Cat" so thrilled to see you will still be rocking peace and Love!!!

[@Reginald-Montgomery-Astird-III]

Tell that to Salman Rushdie… 😐

[@Swat-ed5bt]

Love Yusuf ❤️

[@toddswift8737]

keep following that "Moonshadow, Moonshadow"... Rock on Yusef Steven , the UK Swede!! 💙 & ☮️

[@daylefloyd6404]

This is an excellent interview. The Interviewer knows all angles between the dictates of Islam and where they fit in .

[@atiqrahman7289]

Love this man---- he is so honest and open about his spirituality. He being influenced by spirituality of QURAN is indeed very impressive and sensible. Wish him well , in him being a spiritual seeker. Myself being a spiritual seeker , can connect with him so well. GOD BLESS HIM------ AND GOD BLESS ME. HALLE-LU-JAH

[@kerensangels1]

Love you Cat always ❤

[@pauljudd5929]

No mention of Salman Rushdie.

[@mariaelenaastivia6422]

Very good interview, the journalist was ok and Yusuf have been with me, with he´s music an message, since I was 18! Thanks TRT

[@OneUmmahOneBodyOneUnity]

Follow me🤗

[@moongazer2049]

Great singles and great albums

[@naz7094]

Beautiful

[@user-cv6yv4cp1o]

I Have So Much Love, Respect, & Admiration For Yusuf/ Cat Stevens.

[@izzysearthmoving5237]

Mayallah keep you on the straight path my brother stay strong 🤲

[@charlesdartagnan8788]

Excellent interview, really great questions in comparison to previous interviews with him

[@annem2576]

i totally fell in love with cat in the 70's, i was on a desperate search at the time, i found the true Jesus and became a born again Christian in 1973. i feel really sad he went down the path he did, and didnt come to the knowledge of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. he is so lovely, i will continue to pray for him he will meet Jesus and get saved. He is "the way the truth and the life" no one comes to the Father but through him. he is the great "I am" read the gospel of John, and there he is.

[@lmb4876]

We need to respect everyone’s belief ~ your belief is different than his & that is OK…acceptance and non-judgement is the Christian way.

[@sweetcaroline2060]

Annem2676: Yusuf Cat Stevens was raised Catholic, so I'm pretty sure he learned who Jesus was/is.

[@Libertariun]

@@lmb4876 "If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant... the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." Karl Popper

[@dalchurb]

We were all learning back then converts and born Muslims and sorry to say we will always be learning because one can live only trying to find the elusive chord / pathway to our Creator

[@reginacoelicostanogueira7629]

We can respect the chose of our hero

[@RomiaSE]

Great

[@xzubsx]

Back to your old ways, may god guide you 🙏

[@ploppill34]

He was 100 hundred percent support of the fatwa on Salman Rushdie who ended up getting attacked and losing an eye, he’s equivocated and backtracked numerous times but it’s never 100% come out and said he was completely wrong in doing that and apologized to Salman Rushdie.

[@eamar0509]

ما شاء الله Amazing interview, two beautiful and insightful creatures of Allah in this wild world... Thank you. 🤲🌿🕊️📗💚🌍🕊️🌿🤲

[@suzukinez]

Great talented guy

[@MsTaylorsArt]

I agreed with so much that Yusuf said. I love the messages in his songs and many artists songs. I tend to think that they happened for a reason and can touch many souls for a reason. I have Epilepsy and also had to have surgery to save my life at a younger age. I've wondered before why I was chosen for that. I later found out that I'm related to Prince John who sadly passed in 1919 from a seizure. Many are related to the Royals and don't have Epilepsy, so why was I chosen to have it? Personally, I believe that answer is unknown just as the answer to some being in good health and having the ability to touch more lives through music, etc. is unknown. I think that the unknown is unknown for a reason and that reason is soo great that no title can truly explain it. I find beauty in multiple Religions, so my thoughts are why argue? It's like he said...people don't want to hear preaching. Religions give people hope though. That is the one thing that I RESPECTFULLY disagree with Yusuf on because he made it sound as if there is no hope. After his illness, etc. he found a Religion that helped him and gave him hope. Personally, I believe that sort of thing happens for a reason. Still, I understand that he's probably tired, like many who are well known because money can be used the wrong way and it over takes some but there IS hope. Money can also help the homeless have a place to sleep, it can pay for food, bills, etc. Hope is a beautiful thing or I think it is and is something that was meant to be. Just as his music is meant to be because it helps create hope. Everyone sees life differently, everyone experiences different things though. How could anyone know EXACTLY how another feels, etc. unless they are infact in their shoes? Many today ARE confused but many aren't and are simply misunderstood. Just as he was once misunderstood and needed hope to hold onto. What can help fix many things today is peace and understanding so I say bring back the peace train. Let morning break once more! Ride that peace train again, ride it for the people. Remind us all that we are beautiful and should live life the way that brings us joy. The way that helps! Life can be hard,life can be confusing but the peace train is open to all! May it NEVER run off the tracks and continue to give people something to hold onto. PeAcE

[@birdlynn417]

Beautiful.

[@evelynmousseau611]

... 'walk a mile' in someone else's path ....... give compassion and understanding ..... we are all One ... we all 'bleed', we all have a human body ...... just give kindness and care for one another ... all our earthly creatures ...

[@mimma6992]

Jusuf is a Great man🎩.

[@sophielumpp4043]

Thank you Yusuf to give us the happiness to see you again

[@bahattinpehlivan261]

Muhtesemsiniz buyuk ustad

[@malissahyatt2425]

I grew up on Cat Stevens. Doesn't make any difference. Cat or Yusuf. Same voice. Same message in the music. I'm a Christian but he makes me curious about Muslims. I think there's a lot of common ground between us. 💙🕊️

[@andyhobelaid3903]

Hello, When are you coming to Victoria or other places. We live in Ladysmith, B.C. I am 67 years old, wheelchair bound since 2001, 45, major stroke. I like your music ✌✌✌. God Bless, Andy

[@nvids69]

Lady d’Arbanville ❤️

[@aboawladi1912]

Assalam aalaykoum ya yusuf. Allahoma rhamna bil koran amine Allahoma tahir kolobana bil koran amine Allahoma chfina bil koran amine Allahoma hdina bil koran amine ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

I'm just glad he came back and is sharing his voice with all of us again.

[@ivanmarkowicz2916]

I like him. Many people do - but if you are are a journalist you have to ask him about his views about ISIS, about womens rights in islam (actually he lived in Sweden during his youth) and about some other things. But, on the other hand, you have to admit to religion in Turkey - don’t you?

[@atiqrahman7289]

He is a good man, a noble person. GOD BLESS HIM

[@PaulSmith-tt2cy]

The real Islam, peace and harmony

[@ptbrad752]

Brother no matter what you say You know in your heart what Allah Has decreed May Allah guide you

[@lorisharpe]

❤

[@sharonallison9922]

WOMEN MUST SEEK THEIR FREEDOM AND NOT HAVE RELIGION CONTROL THEM.....OR MEN.....STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS SISTER'S 💪🙏🏻

[@mansooraqureshi2696]

Islam is also owned by certain groups in the community that basically tell you 'how to breathe' which,otherwise is a natural thing to do.. All those bars fall ,especially, hard on converts who can find it hard to navigate. Tawheed is the most important and chief feature of Islam with a good sense of right n wrong for ethical living .

[@aminaabdulla5854]

allah tho fake hai !! Ex muslim sahil ka channel ko dekho ! mai be chod diya ye galat majab ko

[@xzubsx]

Nobody tells you nothing, it's in the quran in black and white. People are weak and give in to their desires. The devil gives us music, Allah gave us the quran...take your pick

[@joemccarthy7120]

@@xzubsx The quran was written by a psychopathic murderer. Why pick it?

[@bahattinpehlivan261]

Selam olsun kiymetli ustad

[@gracefulindeed6091]

Wow

[@bahattinpehlivan261]

Cok anlamli bir soz malesef icler acisi

[@shaheengk5352]

⭐️🌸Yusuf Islam🌸⭐️

[@maryclebeau]

Jesus was a preacher of God’s word and then he taught his fathers will. He taught that “Happy are those conscientious of their spiritual need” Matthew 5:3. He gave us this need for spirituality. 😊

[@joemccarthy7120]

And islam tells us that we have got the message of Jesus all wrong. Fire, brimstone, slaughter and cruelty are they way to go, if one believes islam.

[@adambiesecker1416]

Jesus is God incarnate, He is not a profit or a preacher, He is a gift God the Father gave us as the only sacrifice He would accept as the atonement for our sin. When we as sinners (all of us) finally realize that we can not work or earn our way to heaven and that Jesus is indeed "THE WAY" and that no one comes to the father except thru Him, and we ask for Him to be our life, to enter into a personal and authentic eternity changing relationship with us, our sins are forgiven and covered by the blood sacrifice He is and we are able to enter the kingdom of Heaven for all eternity. By the way, I love Cat Steven's older music....Thank you.

[@thepoolcats]

Oh Cat....... when will you ever understand that you have embraced the very thing that so beautifully condemned

[@tammylynn2636]

😂❤ wow

[@duibheasaoreilly167]

Anyone who would say he'd be happy to watch somebody burned at the stake is a creep.

[@hafizhaseeb2503]

❤❤❤

[@goylanddefree80]

He's a G

[@eduardo_g.r.]

💪🤘👍🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@user-ik9mo8wm7q]

Was that Yusuf Cat Stevens with Ozzy Osbourne? Didn’t see that coming😂

[@TheCatwhisper]

😎❤😺

[@user-rt1mv5ih8n]

I do hope he can come to USA

[@sweetcaroline2060]

I'll understand if he doesn't come to America. This is a crazy place and it came on suddenly, it seems. It's terribly unsafe for children especially.

[@bahattinpehlivan261]

Gorevimiz insanliģa hizmet

[@daylefloyd6404]

BUT! Jesus is not the son of God for Muslims. He is only a Prophet. Big difference.

[@marioc.6436]

Cat stevens .Mr islam .i did Post a comment about us meeting several times in the 90s.but I guess it did not show

[@frankasensale6788]

I could listen to Jusuf (Cat) speak for hours and hours about his spiritual journey and how he's happy with himself as a Muslim. I'm not Muslim nor religious in any way, shape, or thinking. But I respect other peoples choices and beliefs. Cat Stevens earns respect just by being the gracious and humble man he is. I hope to see him perform my favourite song *Moonshadow* live, then I'll be happy.

[@mclaurinisGODsSon2]

He shares the same birthday with Robin McLaurin Williams. Robin is Jesus Christ, too, to me, personally. I love that birthday even more because here you see another good person who was born on 21 of July. Just sayin......

[@sylvianebaldini9502]

Je ne comprends pas cette fierté mal placée.....à ceux qui se rejouissent quet Cat est devenu....Yusuf....on s'en fout!!!!! Aviez-vous autant de plaisir quand il a commencé sa carrière dans les années 70 avec Lady d'Arbanville...et tant d'autres merveilleux compositeur cha.teur et musicien....le reste ca lui appartient ça n'a aucune importance. On l'a connu et apprécié en tant que Cat Stevens il y a 50 ans déjà....sa vie perso!!!!! On s'en fout!!!!😊❤

[@lovelylotus2678]

Why did he not know his son ?

[@c.a.t.732]

This interview took place three months after the horrific assault on writer Salman Rushdie by a Muslim fanatic still evidently trying to carry out the decades-old assassination order by the Ayatollah Khomeini. Given Yusuf's public support of that fatwa back in the day (which can be easily viewed in video on KZbin), I would have been interested to hear his thoughts on the attack.

[@kausamsalam8543]

Mr. Salman has assaulted women -there are records of his malignancy. He sabotages his own relationships as the lines within his characters depict. Such an arrogant man should never be compared to a gentleman.

[@joemccarthy7120]

@@kausamsalam8543 That seems quite irrelevant even if true to the issue of the fatwa and "Yusuf's" support of it.

[@gman3451]

He’d say “I’m a Muslim” 🙄

[@c.a.t.732]

@@kausamsalam8543 I wasn't "comparing" him to anything. But Yusuf did support the death-fatwa against him, so I think I asked a fair question.

[@smellycat23]

Great 💚🐱 smellycat23

[@mohsinraza3712]

Music is not haraam in islam, haraam music is haraam.

[@aminaabdulla5854]

allah tho fake hai !! Ex muslim sahil ka channel ko dekho ! mai be chod diya ye galat majab ko

[@xzubsx]

It's clearly haram. You don't understand the religion

[@wboyle9721]

Cat Stevens songs peace you out

[@daylefloyd6404]

Oh dear...why must being Muslim be the point in the end always. So sad....that is dogma embraced. He contradicts himself with this

[@joejo6273]

How silly Yusuf Cat looks in his wife's sunglasses.......someone tell him please !

[@RebaMcEntireofficial.]

*hahaha thanks joe !!!*

[@spaceyy06]

@@RebaMcEntireofficial. It looks fantastic on you Mr. Yusuf!! god bless you alhamdilulah

[@RebaMcEntireofficial.]

@@spaceyy06 *Thank you 👍…. !!! Where are you watching from* ?

[@arnoldlayne4330]

@@RebaMcEntireofficial. As-salamu alaykum from Bosnia. Just so you know, I've been watching this and quite a few other videos because I'm writing a book and I'm currently on Chapter 3 which is about you, no less.

[@RebaMcEntireofficial.]

@@arnoldlayne4330 wow thanks so much for sharing this amazing piece, do you have any of my signed autograph ?

[@joemccarthy7120]

How interesting to hear "Yusuf" criticize the Iranian revolution when he supported the Ayatollah's fatwa on Rushdie. He is a phony.

[@antonimartinez9961]

People can change. Although he ought to publicly apologise to Rushie. The fact he hasn't certainly raises some eyebrows.

[@Libertariun]

Notice that the original TV program in which he wished the fatwa would be carried out has been removed in an attempt to rewrite the past. All part of taqquiya.

[@joemccarthy7120]

Not surprising. I just saw a protest in my city by a bunch of Hamastinians. It is so depressing seeing so much of that in the West these days.@@Libertariun

[@Libertariun]

@@joemccarthy7120 These people are sick. And blind to what’s coming in our own countries. It always starts with the Jews. Then they come for the rest.