Singer Formerly Known as Cat Stevens Calls US Deportation 'Ridiculous' VOA News 23 Sep 2004, 11:05 UTC
The singer formerly known as Cat Stevens has expressed surprise at his deportation from the United States after being denied entry into the country Wednesday.
As the converted Muslim now named Yusuf Islam returned Thursday to Britain, he told reporters at the London Heathrow airport he felt victimized, calling the situation "ridiculous."
Mr. Islam's deportation brought strong criticism from various Muslim groups, and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who complained personally to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in New York.
Mr. Islam's flight from London to Washington Wednesday was diverted to Maine when U.S. security officials discovered his name on government watch lists.
A U.S. Homeland Security official Brian Doyle would only say Mr. Islam is on the lists because of "activities that could be potentially linked to terrorism."
