Writing from the road right now -- in Atlanta on the way to Orlando! Yay for hotel wi-fi.
Actually I have given this a lot of thought. Why? I hate that I like his music so much but there's that Muslim thing - both the Rushdie fatwa and just the general idea that Muslims hate everyone else and want to take over the world but lie about being a religion of peace.
His official word is that his statement was taken out of context and though he supports the Muslim policy, he would agree with the law of the land. Good enough? Well, I dunno - it's not right, but there are a lot of people who support policies endorsed by their churches despite a nagging feeling it's ethically wrong, because their church gives them something they think they need.
It can't help that, according to the Wiki page, he thought Rushdie's book was about *him* - I suppose that kind of pissed him off!
I feel kinda sorry for the guy. I think he, like a lot of other converts were brainwashed -- like a cult does -- during a time he was vulnerable and probably drug-addled.
Also though he is a brilliant songwriter/performer he has never been very good at PR. Not exactly a smooth talker, which is why unfortunately most celebs shouldn't be valued for their intellectual wisdom.
Since he's back I kind of wonder if he's sort of moving away from the strict Muslim thing and will one day reinvent himself again. In
"Boots and Sand" (which you all should appreciate because he makes fun of Bush) he refers to himself as "Joe" -- which is what Yusuf comes from, Joseph. He's also dropped the "Islam" as a stage name and is now one of those single-name celebs like Madonna and Prince.
Oh well. Maybe I need a hobby. ;-)