By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL- Istanbul and Ankara audiences are in for a huge treat when 70-year-old Yusuf Islam otherwise known for years as Cat Stevens, performs as part of Türkiye’s Beyoglu Culture Road Festival and Baskent Culture Road Festival in October. As Islam announced on Twitter: “I’m smiling, thinking about good things to come, announcing my first ever shows in #Türkiye.” Proceeds from Islam’s concerts will go to his charitable organization Peace Train whose goal is to feed people across the globe. The motto underlying his charity work for the Yusuf Islam Foundation Peace Train brings food aid to disadvantaged community around the world as well as access to water and builds playgrounds for children in Africa.
The charity is named after Islam (Cat Steven’s) 1971 hit entitled Peace Train and in March this year, Islam received an International Benevolence Award organized by the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs for the project. Award organizers had expressed how moved Muslims and non-Muslims were by what was termed as Islam’s “stance as a genuine faithful” and his “actions.” The successful singer was also recognized for his contribution to Cambridge Mosque, in Cambridge, England which is Europe’s first eco-friendly mosque. Islam had sent a video message thanking Turkish President Erdogan for Turkey’s acts of kindness and leadership for Muslims across the world. Cat Stevens, who was born Steven Georgiou, converted to Islam in 1977 after he almost drowned in the Pacific Ocean and now focuses primarily on charitable causes. His concerts are scheduled to be held the AKM Türk Telekom Opera Hall on October 19 and on October 23 in Ankara.
