Cat Stevens: I'm Totally Shocked

Thu., Sep. 23, 2004 9:40 AM PDT by Sarah Hall

Morning has broken, and the former Cat Stevens is back in London, courtesy of some hard-headed U.S. Homeland Security officials.

The ex-pop star, now known as Yusuf Islam, was deported from the United States on Wednesday after his name showed up on a no-fly list Tuesday while he was on a plane bound from London to Washington.

The United Airlines flight was diverted to Bangor, Maine, where Islam, who abandoned his musical career in 1977 and became a Muslim, was held for questioning.

Officials said Islam was denied entry to the U.S. because his activities could be linked to terrorism.

Upon his return to the U.K. on Thursday, Islam called the situation "totally ridiculous."

"I'm totally shocked," he told reporters who met him at Heathrow airport. "Half of me wants to smile, half of me wants to growl."

Islam had been traveling with his daughter, Maymanah, 21, who was allowed to continue her trip. According to British tabloid the Mirror, Islam was headed to the U.S. to attend several charity meetings and to meet Dolly Parton in Nashville.

Instead, the "Moonshadow" singer is back home, bitter, blue and ready for answers.

"Everybody knows who I am. I am no secret figure," Islam said. "Everybody knows my campaigning for charity, for peace. There's got to be a whole lot of explanation."

Islam said he "absolutely" felt victimized. "But you know, for God's sake people make mistakes," he said. "I just hope they have made a big mistake."

"I wasn't handcuffed or anything like that. They treated me very well. The one positive thing I can say is that a lot of security officers are very pleased because they got my autograph."

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw complained about the way Islam was treated, telling Secretary of State Colin Powell "that this action should not have been taken," per Reuters.

U.S. Homeland Security spokesman Brian Doyle said on Wednesday that Islam was deported due to concern about his activities.

"Why is he on the watch lists? Because of his activities that could be potentially linked to terrorism. The intelligence community has come into possession of additional information that further raises our concern," Doyle said, per Reuters.

Another law-enforcement official said that U.S. intelligence officials believe that Islam donated money to the militant Islamic group Hamas.

In 2000, Islam was barred from Israel, also on suspicion of contributing funds to Hamas. He denied the allegations, and said his contributions were for humanitarian causes.

Meanwhile, the "Peace Train" singer's ability to board a U.S.-bound plane, despite his name's inclusion on a no-fly list, has raised concerns within the Homeland Security Department.

"Someone on the watch list should not be on the airplane flying," Undersecretary for Homeland Security Asa Hutchinson said on NBC's Today show.

Officials are calling for changes in policy that will permit federal authorities to review passenger lists, particularly for international flights, one hour before takeoff. At present, Homeland Security receives passenger information about 15 minutes after the plane departs.

Though United Airlines claimed it followed procedure in checking Islam's name, a spokesman claims that the information did not match the no-fly list. It has since been concluded by airline and government officials that Islam's name was likely spelled two different ways.

Islam said he was not questioned by British police upon his return and is consulting lawyers to find out why he was barred.

"The whole thing was a terrible ordeal," he said.