YUSUF Islam

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Wednesday 7th October

Yusuf Meets Old School Pals

One of the nice surprises of Yusuf’s recent visit to his old school, Hugh Myddleton was to meet some of his old classmates.

Above are pictures of Yusuf and John Langsworthy and Janet Dowling, along with one of his ex-teacher, Mrs Simpson. Janet showed him an old photo of the class (see close up).

On the day Yusuf tried to explain his many changes of name, so he retold the story of Joseph for the four hundred children assembled in the school.

The whole school sang ‘Morning Has Broken’ for him. Later he sang If You Want To sing Out (presently the major Ad Anthem of T-Mobile in the U.S.A) entertaining a small bunch of children in the Library.
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Comments
1. Dear Susan, Your post shines with the beautiful and hopeful light of an open heart. It reminds me of one of my favourite verses of Quran: ~ O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female [Adam and Eve], and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (Not that ye may despise each other). (The Holy Quran 49:13) ~ As Yusuf would sing, â€œAll of the people are part of one family, every man and woman belonging to humanity.â€ There are many Muslims like Yusuf and, God-willing, your neighbors, who strive to be good examples of Islam. I pray that if you reach out to them, theyâ€™ll reach back to you. If youâ€™re still curious about Islam, you might enjoy these recordings and writings by Yusuf: â€¢ I Look, I See 2 http://www.jamalrecords.com/ilookisee2/ â€¢ I Look, I See http://jamalrecords.com/ilookisee/ â€¢ The Life of the Last Prophet http://www.mountainoflight.co.uk/products_lotlp_db.html â€¢ Journey in Search for the Centre of the Universe (about Yusufâ€™s personal journey to Islam) http://www.mountainoflight.co.uk/talks_journey_1.html â€¢ Mountain of Light (to learn about Yusufâ€™s Islamic beliefs) http://www.mountainoflight.com/ ~Pea
  25 Oct 2009 Sunny Report Comment
2. I am now more curious about Islam than ever. I'm glad that - it seems that the barriers are breaking down; we're learning more and more. Yusuf's work is really important; but positive things are happening, things are changing. I have always respected Islam, although I know very little about it - we have Muslim neighbours. Now, I've found out that Muslim children are becoming a significant force in Canadian hockey, which I think is fabulous - it will help them to integrate; and they may civilize "hockey culture". http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/nazem-kadri-canadas-new-game-face/article1327320/ Good luck - keep up the wonderful work; your songs bring me peace.
  18 Oct 2009 Susan Report Comment
3. I am grateful that President Obama was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize but would think that Yusuf has actually done more for the cause of peace on earth than our wonderful President who hails from my home state here in the United States. My best friend and his brother performed "Morning Has Broken" at my sisters wedding in 1973 and it was so beautiful. Thank you Yusuf for all your inspiration.
  18 Oct 2009 Kevin Rathert Report Comment
4. I cannot think of any other person out there, who has managed touch my soul so enormously. In times of pain and tears, but also joy and laughter. APPRECIATION! I admire you so much sir. Although i've never meet you, It feels inside me like you are a neighbor..a true neighbor. Respect in every Aspect
  16 Oct 2009 arberplava Report Comment
5. Sir..., ...you are my idol
  15 Oct 2009 Findra Achmad Report Comment
6. Asalamualaikum Yusuf and everyone, I reverted to Islam about 2 years ago alhamdulillah, before this I loved your music as Cat and even more so now, I know now why you reverted to Islam Yusuf, after 40 years I found my heart n soul and direction of truth, I have changed my life completly, Im studing B. of Arts and Law and inshaallah will start immigration Law next year I am keen to help others in this area. I am now President of Islamic Ass. in Launceston Tasmania Australia, and although we have no Masjid I am working on it, Ive stated a small calss to teach kids Quran and Kalima inshaAllah we will get a Mosque soon to build up the Muslim community here, its such a safe and lovely area and is good to bring up family. I married a wonderful Egyptian man 18mths ago who loves Islam and is very dedicated inshaAllah after the red tape of immigration he will be here with us. ALHAMDULILLAH Yusuf your songs have been a great inspiration from the begining and now my children sing along to them, and enjoy them like I do. Please come to Australia some time we would love to see you inshaAllah. Regards Ayisha
  14 Oct 2009 Ayisha Varga Report Comment
7. yusuf italy want you!!!!! eheheeheh time to be serius, i buy the tikets for your show in london i cant waiting for!! i'm your big fan but i'm only 18 years old. i have all yours cd, and, when i can find on the web, i collect some your's video. The picture where you sounds with children is really sweet. i hope you can continue your beautiful road of peace and love. greet from italy and sorry for the bad english. eddy.
  12 Oct 2009 edoardo Report Comment
8. Incognita, I like your description of "Steven" (as I've read he was called as a student). You hit the nail on the head - about ten times! - So many tears - Regine, I'm so sorry to hear they'll be cutting down 40 oak trees that are 80 years old. "King of Trees" is perfect. And Barb, your story is so touching - it brought tears to my eyes as well. I'm glad that you and your children had "Morning Has Broken" to help you through. Thank you Cynthia for bringing up the welcome and happy news of President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize. I wonder if Yusuf will write about it in his next blog entryâ€¦
  10 Oct 2009 Sunny Report Comment
9. I was listening to "MORNING HAS BROKEN"..this morning and burst into tears!!! I used to put it on my tape player 30 years ago when my children were 10 and 14. I had to go to work at 0430, and was terrified of having to leave them alone at that hour. I was recently divorced, and had the to support the children. I think I programmed the tape player so that the song would come on at 0730...I thought...and still do think...it was a beautiful song to start the day with. I was so afraid...but they both turned out just fine..and I was able to get enough income from my job to send them both to college...but I still remember the fear of having to leave them, so...30 years later...I am still bursting into tears. Cat Steven's recording of "MORNING HAS BROKEN" was one of the things that kept me going. I want to say thank you again to Cat Stevens...and am closing now, as the tears are coming back!
  09 Oct 2009 BARB Report Comment
10. Going back to Yusufs blog of Sept. 23rd, "The Ghosts of Black and White",I expect like so many of us, he will be really pleased about the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to President Obama!!
  09 Oct 2009 Cynthia Report Comment
11. Regine - I weep along with you for those noble oak trees as Yusuf would too. The ease with which man thoughtlessly destroys the life around him for his own perceived gain, never ceases to appal me. King of Trees is a song that's very dear to my heart. I associate it with a cherished tree in my own life, which was fortunately saved. But also with the thousands I have seen ruthlessly massacred before my eyes. I'd love to hear him sing it in person.
  09 Oct 2009 Incognita Report Comment
12. Lovely they invited you Yusuf and you could tell your story .The more people learn to now the better.Please think about singing King of trees again on your concert in London it would be so great . Just in front of my house (my home they plan almot of houses (can understand that )but what is painfull that also a 40 oaktrees (around a 80 years )will disapeare for it instead of letting them stand around the houses so we can have that needy green around us and kids can see how beautyfull this kings of trees are and they can hear and see all those lovely birds living in it and building there nests having all those babybirds so they can learn to respect God's nature. Tears will come in my eyes the moment they kill this oakes and your song about the King of trees will be in my heart that moment .Please think about it to sing this song in London in honour of all the trees that are dissapearing all over the world not needy and because people only think about the money instead of what we really need .Where do the childeren play in the future .Peace Regine
  08 Oct 2009 Regine Masson Report Comment
13. Sunny, it's like him alright! All at once innocent & sweet, naughty, sharp, thoughtful and contemplative, dreamy and partly "away" from the here-and-now. Altogether precocious and lovable. The kids' group is endearing. And so are the group photos of him with his pals and teacher and the one playing for the children.
  08 Oct 2009 Incognita Report Comment
14. It was so gracious of Yusuf's former teacher and classmates to join him. Thanks to all, and special thanks to Janet Dowling for the class picture. Is the arrow pointing to Steve? I think so, but I'm not positive... (If you enlarge the photo in Photoshop, you can see how mischievous some of the boys are - it's funny.) Ah, the "Beautiful Story of Yusuf." I've read it in Quran many times, but I'd love to hear Yusuf tell it. I'm wondering the same thing as Incognita - are there any videos? Peace and smiles
  08 Oct 2009 Sunny Report Comment
15. It would be great to have Yusuf write about the experience on his blog. Are there any videos of the event?
  08 Oct 2009 Incognita Report Comment
16. Oh great news! I am pleased that Yusuf got the chance to meet his old school friends! I hope he had a great time and the performance of 'If you want to sing out' must have been amazing, would love to hear him singing it now - it's one of my favourites....(with everything else by him!) PEACE.
  08 Oct 2009 Aishah Report Comment
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