Cat Stevens Awarded Peace Prize
an article by Charlie

Only two months after being deported from the United States when he showed up on the government's "no fly" list and was accused of having ties to terrorist networks, Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) was awarded a peace prize by Mikhail Gorbachev. The ceremony for the "Man of Peace" award took place in ome.

Islam, who has denounced the actions of terrorists and donated money to victims of 9/11, denies he has any relationship with terrorist organizations. He also discussed his feelings about receiving a peace prize in light of the recent controversy surrounding his deportation. "Perhaps it's part of the irony that sometimes you have to go through a test in order to achieve a prize. Today I'm receiving a prize for peace, which is actually, I would say, a bit more descriptive of my ideas and my aims in life."

The award was about more than just a denunciation of violent extremism, however. Islam is the founder of Small Kindness, a charity that raises money for children affected by war in the Balkans and the Middle East. He also recently re-recorded his hit song, Peace Train, to raise money for children in Iraq. The gesture is significant, as Yusuf has largely stopped playing since converting to Islam in the 1970s. You can read more about Islam's awards on the CNN report.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

What place does music have in the peace movement?


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THE ARTS AND A CULTURE OF PEACE

LATEST READER COMMENT:

This is a response to curious...

I think it is great that you hear unique music.  I really enjoy seeing live shows myself.

In response to your comments I thought about the current paradigm that exists in the western world that promotes pop music which has many messages in its lyrics and presentations that are not in accord with the 8 keys.  I think if that already established system could be used to promote the 8 keys youth would really respond.  
The difficulty arises when people are taugh and pressured or uninformed about acting in accordance with the keys.  So they get drunk, and eat junk food, instead of respecting their own body.  But if a positive and truthful message could be put out I think the generation that grows up on that music will have a lot of common sense.

So folk music communities like the ones you may participate in are great.. . ...more.

This report was posted on November 18, 2004. The moderator is Joe.

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