PM thanks Yusuf Islam for inspiring talk, waits for his 'peace train'

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim thanked Yusuf Islam, the British songwriter and singer once known as Cat Stevens, for sharing his experience at the Madani lecture held at Seri Perdana.

In a Facebook post this morning, Anwar described it as “inspirational”.

He noted how the 75-year-old singer, who has sold more than 100 million records, encapsulated his “spiritual experience in exploring the beauty of Islam as well as his quest for peace and guidance in the Quran”.

“What Yusuf shared was inspiring, especially on the message of Islam that is replete with the value of fairness in a multicultural and multireligious environment.

“Despite facing a deluge of presumptions and prejudices in dakwah (preaching), Yusuf continues to exhibit fairness, humility and compassion, which are the essence of Islamic teachings.

“I hope Yusuf can return to Malaysia, especially in the context of arts and dakwah,” Anwar added.

Yusuf, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, resumed making secular music in 2006.

Before this, he had spent two decades performing music which only met with strict religious standards.

Apart from Yusuf, the Madani lecture also featured Gambian-born ulama, Syeikh Muhammad Haydara al-Jilani.

Peace Train

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Yusuf plans to establish a Peace Train in Malaysia, which will be his charity organisation’s first overseas branch.

The singer said he had conveyed the plan to Anwar and the latter welcomed it.

“He (Anwar) is waiting for the station (Peace Train) to open," he quipped.

According to Yusuf, Peace Train delivers food to townships, refugee camps and sometimes to schools.

“In the United Kingdom, we've been supporting many very poor children. It’s that kind of project which we believe, based on prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to feed people and spread peace," he said.

Asked if the organisation is to be established this year, he replied: "Yes, if we can get through the bureaucracy."

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