Jon Stewart’s “Rally to Restore Sanity” was a success. Indeed, successful in demonstrating that even in economic times such as these; some people have way too much time and money on their hands.
A good time was had by all; mazel tov!
What was of interest was the front and center appearance of Cat Stephens aka Yusuf Islam.
That crazy Cat is back singing songs from half a century ago and waving peace sings—maaaaaan!
Well, he should be reminded that “Islam” does not mean “peace.” Anyone who thinks that it does should ask what it means to say “Salaam aleikum.” It means “Peace be unto you.” So if “Salaam” means “peace” then “Islam” does not. Certainly, “Salaam” seems to be within the word “Islam”: “I” and “sallam.” Yet, the fact is that “Islam” means “submission.”
But what has any of this to do with that crazy Cat Stephens / Yusuf Islam?
When that harmless, hippy, peace child converted to Islam, long ago, he ended up supporting the fatwa that called for the murder of Salman Rushdie for writing the novel, “The Satanic Verses.”
Oh, come now, no he did not, he even denied doing so. Indeed, he has stated, “I certainly never supported the Fatwa.” Well, there is something to be said for reconsidering earlier positions once held when you are again attempting to get citizens for the great satan to buy your latest album.
He stated,
I certainly never supported the Fatwa. But when I was asked about, you know, the actual principle of blasphemy and capital punishment, well…yeah, its there in the Qur’an. I couldn’t deny that.
So, he did not support the fatwa that called for death for blasphemy but did affirm that the Qur’an prescribes death for blasphemy so he did support the fatwa, while denying it.
This was Cat/Yusuf’s original statement:
In Islam there is a line between let’s say freedom and the line which is then transgressed into immorality and irresponsibility and I think as far as this writer is concerned, unfortunately, he has been irresponsible with his freedom of speech.
Salman Rushdie or indeed any writer who abuses the prophet, or indeed any prophet, under Islamic law, the sentence for that is actually death. It’s got to be seen as a deterrent, so that other people should not commit the same mistake again.
Moreover, he stated the following upon viewing Salman Rushdie’s burning effigy,
I would have hoped that it’d be the real thing.
He followed up by elucidating what he would have done had he known Salman Rushdie’s whereabouts,
I might ring somebody who might do more damage to him than he would like…I’d try to phone the Ayatollah Khomeini and tell him exactly where this man is.
Oh, but what is the big deal about supporting the murder of an author when you’ve got albums to sell and when Jon Stewart needs a big name in his side show?
Ask Salman Rushdie…if, that is, you can find him.
For more about the Salman Rushdie fracas, see:
A comparison between Dan Brown and “The Da Vinci Code” and Salman Rushdie and “The Satanic Verses”
Satanic Verses Versus Satanic Actions
Cat’s Got Your Tongue? No, But He Wishes He Did
And an addendum: Cat Stephens / Yusuf Islam