A GROUP of online Cypriots have launched a campaign to get legendary music star Yusuf Islam, aka Cat Stevens, to perform a peace concert on the buffer zone in Cyprus.
The initiative was started by London-based Cypriot Emine Ibrahim on the online social networking site, Facebook. Ibrahim set up a group called ‘Peace Train Concert for Cyprus’ where she hopes enough interest will be raised to attract Yusuf’s attention to the island.
The singer/songwriter, born to a Cypriot father and Swedish mother, was originally called Steven Demetri Georgiou, before adopting the stage name Cat Stevens. He became a huge music sensation at an early age, writing songs from his London home. His early hits include ‘Matthew and Son’ and ‘I Love My Dog’. He went on to sell over 60 million albums around the world.
At the height of his fame in 1977, Cat Stevens, converted to Islam, changing his name to Yusuf Islam. He turned his back on his musical career for decades, focusing his efforts on educational and philanthropic endeavours. More recently, Yusuf performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, singing his aptly titled hit “Peace Train”.
The group’s organisers, the Peace Train Collective, now hope the talented songwriter will bring his peace and goodwill to Cyprus, at a time when reunification talks are set to start next month.
They have launched the initiative to bring Yusuf to Cyprus “to perform his beautiful timeless music which has inspired generations for the people of our island”.
“We need Yusuf aka Cat to get the people of his roots aboard his Peace Train. A divided island that needs his spirituality and guidance into a united future,” writes the Collective.
The group hope to get UN backing to hold the peace concert on the football pitch opposite the Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia.
One of the group’s administrators, Haji Mike, described Yusuf as the perfect man for such a concert.
“If there’s anyone who’s a symbol of tolerance, humility and peace, it’s him, and he’s part Cypriot,” said the local musician, lecturer and poet, adding, “A lot of Cypriots identify with him.”
“He was the first person to incorporate the Greek language and the bouzouki into pop music. ‘Ruby My Love’ was a pioneering song.
“In the early 1970s, a lot of people from Island Records, like him and Bob Marley, were exploring their identity. They were all looking for something, and he’s up there with them. His songs have written history, and been covered by lots of people. No one’s ever done what he did,” said Haji Mike.
The local artist said many Cypriots living abroad related to Cat Stevens’ music because they grew up in the same multicultural streets.
“We grew up in a place like Green Lanes in Harringay,” he said, referring to one of the longest streets in London, home to Greeks, Turks, Cypriots, Kurds and Jamaicans.
“Cypriots in the UK always co-existed, went to school, worked and lived together. They don’t bring the Green Line into it. Well, Yusuf’s been talking co-existence all along. He’s got something to contribute to Cyprus,” said Haji Mike.
