Yusuf's North American 'Cat on the Road to Findout' Book Tour Postponed: Visa Issues and Hope for the Future
Yusuf, also known as Cat Stevens, has announced the postponement of his North American "Cat on the Road to Findout" Book Tour due to visa issues. The singer expressed disappointment in having to delay the tour, citing difficulties in obtaining visa approvals and logistical challenges for the production of the show. Despite the setback, Yusuf remains hopeful that North American audiences will eventually have the opportunity to see the tour once visa approvals are secured, albeit at a later date.
While the reasons for the visa delays were not specified, it is suggested that past statements made by Yusuf, particularly his support for Ayatollah Khomeini's controversial stance on author Salman Rushdie in 1989, may have contributed to the issues. Despite this, Yusuf has evolved his views over the years and has been recognized for his musical contributions, with artists like Haim, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, and Feist performing his songs at the CatSong Festival in 2020.
Yusuf, who embraced the Muslim faith and changed his name to Yusuf Islam, is best known for his iconic songs from the 1970s such as "Morning Has Broken" and "Wild World." His upcoming memoir, "Cat On The Road To Findout," is set to be released in the U.K. on October 2. Despite the tour delays, fans can still look forward to enjoying his book, as Yusuf humorously noted that books do not require visas to be enjoyed.