Cat Stevens

“Music is part of God's universe.”

— Cat Stevens

“I became very famous, as a teenager, and my name and photo were splashed in all the media. They made me larger than life, so I wanted to live larger than life, and the only way to do that was to be intoxicated.”

— Cat Stevens

“Moderation is part of faith, so those who accuse Muslim schools of fostering fanaticism should learn a bit more about Islam.”

— Cat Stevens

“In the early days I had a very black-and-white view of everything. I think that's kind of natural for anyone who's just embraced Islam - or any religion - as a convert. It was important for me to duck out of the fast and furious life I'd been living as a pop star. I was in a different mood.”

— Cat Stevens

“I found a religion that blended scientific reason with spiritual reality in a unifying faith far removed from the headlines of violence, destruction and terrorism.”

— Cat Stevens

“I looked at some of the statues of Jesus they were just stones with no life. When they said that God is three, I was puzzled even more but could not argue. I believed it, simply because I had to have respect for the faith of my parents.”

— Cat Stevens

“There was no division I could see between the essential teaching of all Prophets and wise men of religion.”

— Cat Stevens

“It is part of my faith as a Muslim to try to help those who are suffering from poverty or economic or political injustice.”

— Cat Stevens

“I suppose that by being absent from the music business, it appeared that I just dropped out, but really I never did. I was continuously working and doing various things.”

— Cat Stevens

“I've returned to being an amateur without any ties or strings attached, which gives me a freedom I never had before.”

— Cat Stevens

“'Peace Train' is a song I wrote, the message of which continues to breeze thunderously through the hearts of millions. There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again.”

— Cat Stevens

“I was brought up in the modern world of all the luxury and the highlight of show business. I was born into a Christian home.”

— Cat Stevens

“Music is a lady that I still love because she gives me the air that I breathe. We need all sorts of nourishment. And music satisfies and nourishes the hunger within ourselves for connection and harmony.”

— Cat Stevens

“I am confident that, in the end, common sense and justice will prevail. I'm an optimist, brought up on the belief that if you wait to the end of the story, you get to see the good people live happily ever after.”

— Cat Stevens

“The latest horror to hit the U.S. looks to have been caused by people of Middle Eastern origin, bearing Muslim names. Again, shame. This fuels more hatred for a religion and a people who have nothing to do with these events.”

— Cat Stevens

“There is a powerful need for people to feel that gust of hope rise up again.”

— Cat Stevens

“In a World where people are surrounded by darkness, ignorance and fear, it is a sign of hope to be celebrating Islam's message of peace and light, and the last great Messenger, born and chosen to deliver them to all mankind.”

— Cat Stevens

“I had to learn my faith and look after my family, and I had to make priorities. But now I've done it all and there's a little space for me to fill in the universe of music again.”

— Cat Stevens

“I've studied various schools of thought... I acknowledge that some Muslims consider music prohibited, but I've found a lot of evidence from the life of the Prophet to show that he allowed certainly, but even encouraged, music at certain times.”

— Cat Stevens

“They have hijacked my religion.”

— Cat Stevens