Yusuf Islam is one of my heroes. Known as Cat Stevens in the sixties and seventies, he was a very popular and prolific singer/songwriter. In 1978 or so, he gave it all up after a life-changing experience. Evidently, he was swimming in the ocean and almost drowned. He appealed to God for help and was swept ashore.

His brother gifted him with a copy of the Koran. He changed his name to Yusuf Islam and devoted his life to his wife and children. Since that time he has been involved in charity work, raising money to educate and help starving children and promoting world peace.

In 2004, the plane he was on to the United States was diverted when it was found that his name was on a No-Fly List. The Department of Homeland Security thinks he has terrorist connections. Probably because his last name is Islam, he reads the Koran and was awarded the "Man of Peace" award by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureats in 2003.

His first new album in 28 years will be released in the United States tomorrow. Check out his website here:

www.yusufislam.com/

The entire album can be heard here:

www.canada.com/topics/ent.../yusuf.html

A video of one of the songs:

www.youtube.com/watch