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Last update - 17:23 26/01/2009
Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, releases charity song for children of Gaza
By Reuters
Tags: Gaza Strip, Cat Stevens 

The musician formerly known as Cat Stevens released a charity song on Monday to help the children of Gaza.

The United Nations said the London-born Yusuf Islam recorded a rendition of the George Harrison song The Day the World Gets Round, along with the German bassist and former Beatles collaborator Klaus Voorman.

All proceeds from the song will be donated to the UN agency in charge of Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and to the nonprofit group Save the Children to be directed to aiding Gaza residents.
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Gaza officials say 280 of the 1,285 Palestinians killed in the three-week
Israeli offensive were children. Children make up 56 percent of Gaza's 1.4
million people. The offensive aimed at stopping rocket fire by Gaza's Hamas rulers into southern Israel.

Yusuf explained on his Web site that he hoped the song would help remind
people of the immense legacy of love, peace and happiness we can share when we get round to looking at mankind's futile wars and prejudices, and start to change our foolish ways.

UNRWA said the donation would help it continue its vital work in the Gaza
Strip.

"This is a fantastically generous act and we hope to reach new audiences in bringing a message of hope at a time when Gaza so badly needs it," said Christopher Gunness, an UNRWA spokesman.

Cat Stevens sold 60 million albums in a prolific musical career that included the hit songs Wild World, The First Cut is the Deepest and Peace Train. In 1977, he converted to Islam, changed his name and largely distanced himself from popular music.

He also courted controversy by allegedly funding charities that were fronts for the Islamic militant group Hamas. Israeli authorities have barred Islam twice from entering the country because of his alleged ties to Hamas.

He also allegedly supported the Islamic edict calling for the death of author Salman Rushdie, though he said he was misunderstood.

Throughout the years, Islam recorded a handful of spoken word records on
Islamic topics, some with percussion. In 2006, he made a mini-comeback to pop music recording his first album since his conversion titled An Other Cup.

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      1.   He`ll Be Splitting the Proceeds With Sderot Kindergartens 17:49  |  Yours Truly 26/01/09
      2.   Formerly known as Cat Stevens 18:44  |  Ron 26/01/09
      3.   Dirt that doesn`t stick 19:37  |  Martin Friedman 26/01/09
      4.   Indeed, Yours Truly # 1 20:28  |  Clickfool 26/01/09
      5.   Psychological Counseling Needed for Yusuf 21:07  |  Scot 26/01/09
      6.   Scot 22:26  |  joan 26/01/09
      7.   #2, Ron the pompous... 22:35  |  Silvienne 26/01/09
      8.   #3, well said, Martin Friedman... 22:37  |  Silvienne 26/01/09
      9.   #5, Scott, another self-righteous.... 22:44  |  Silvienne 26/01/09
      10.   Gaza "you are all ignorant of the truth" 23:03  |  Richard 26/01/09
      11.   #5 Scot. Children shot by the IDF... 23:30  |  Maureen Ann 26/01/09
      12.   How many hits has he had since he converted? 23:49  |  Murray of Montreal 27/01/09
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