I was sitting here, enjoying a quiet Sunday morning. Listening to my new favorite channel on XM Radio — XM 75 Hear Music. As I’m trying to grow my Blogshares wealth, I realize that it is the soothing voice of Cat Stevens I hear. I look up at the radio, its If I Laugh. This gets me thinking about poor Cat Stevens, or as he’s known now Yusaf Islam. In 1977, Cat Stevens converted to Islam and changed his name. He gave up his career because he felt that his pop star lifestyle was sinful. He gives his the money from to royalties to various charities because he does not want to profit from his “sinful” past. Oh yeah … And he’s on the United States’ “No-Fly” list that is designed to protect us from Terrorists entering the country.

Last Month, a plane that carried Mr. Islam was diverted, and he was sent back to the U.K. The reason? He has possible ties to terrorist groups. Let me state for the record, if he has been giving money to Osama Bin Laden then I’m glad they turned him away. But, I’m guessing its not that clear cut. As I stated before, Yusaf give a lot of his money to charity. And being a good Muslim much of that money goes to Muslim charities. And I’d imagine its possible that some of that gets back to terrorist groups. The typical reaction from Americans, I think, is to say, “He shouldn’t give money to Muslim Charities, he should know better.” The truth isn’t that simple (it never is, is it?) Avoiding Muslim Charities will not necessarily avoid terrorism. If you were not careful you could find your charitable dollars funding the IRA, fascists, anti-gay propaganda or even Scientology. When you give your money to a charitable organization you don’t really know where is goes. If that organization does reputable work then can you be held accountable for any other agenda they may have. You can read a thoughtful column on Yusaf Islam and the “No-Fly” list here.

I take this whole thing kinda personally because I have loved Cat Stevens music for a long time. Father and Son and Morning has Broken are two of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Maybe I shouldn’t care about what happens to Yusaf Islam, he gave up being Cat Stevens and has disowned that music (for the most part.) But his message of peace has been consistent from Peace Train to the condemnation of the September 11 attacks (he said, “No right thinking follower of Islam could possibly condone such an action.”) I can’t help but think that his anti-war stance had more to do with this than his so called terrorists links. So here’s to Cat Stevens and here’s to you Islam Yusaf, we need more people in the world who value peace like you do.