Yusuf Islam to perform at Nobel concert

The former Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, will be among the performers at this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo.

The concert honours each year’s Nobel Peace laureates, which for 2006 are Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh and the Grameen Bank he founded to help people rise above poverty with small loans to start businesses.

This year’s concert will be hosted by actresses Sharon Stone and Anjelica Huston.

The former Cat Stevens (born Steven Demetre Georgiou), who changed his name to Yusuf Islam after he converted to Islam in the late 1970s, will join such performers as R&B star Lionel Richie; 18-year-old music star Rihanna; Simply Red; American country singer Wynonna; American opera singer Renee Fleming; and Mexican singer and actress Paulina Rubio.

London-born Islam had a string of hit songs in the 1960s and ’70s, including Moon Shadow and Peace Train before converting to Islam and withdrawing from the music industry.

Later this year, he is due to release his first new album in 28 years.

“There were 100 reasons for leaving the music industry back in 1979, not least because I had found what I was looking for spiritually,” said Islam, now a peace activist, in a statement issued yesterday.

“Today there are perhaps one 101 good reasons why I feel right making music and singing about life in this fragile world again.”

In 2004, Islam was barred from entering the United States, after US security officials said his name was on list of banned people.

However, he has also received awards and honours for his peace and humanitarian aid efforts, including the 2003 Man of Peace award decided by a committee of Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

The concerts are always held on December 11, the day after the Nobel peace prize awards ceremony in Oslo.