Yusuf Islam donates £20,000 to flood fund

Yusuf Islam, who from 1966 to 1978, was known as Cat Stevens, has donated £20,000 to Gloucestershire’s Flood Relief Fund.

The Mayor of Gloucester, Harjit Gill, received a personal letter with the cheque attached.

In the letter Yusuf explains how, like countless others, he had been moved by the enormity of the flood damage that hits parts of Gloucestershire and the subsequent launch of the Flood Relief Fund.

Yusuf Islam’s association with Gloucestershire began in 1979 when, as a new Muslim, he was approached by a member of the Islamic community to donate towards the purchase and renovation of a new centre. 

In November 2005 he was awarded an honouree doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire for services to educational and humanitarian relief. In addition he has had relatives living in the area for many years.

Following an accident in which he nearly drowned (in 1975) and at the height of his fame (in 1977) Cat Stevens converted to Islam.

A year later he adopted the name Yusuf Islam (Yusuf is the Arabic translation of the name Joseph) and left the music industry to devote himself to educational causes in the Muslim community.

Under the name Cat Stevens, Yusuf has sold over 60 million albums around the world. His albums “Tea for Tillerman” and “Teaser and Firecat” achieved Triple Platinum status in the United States (three million sales each).

The Mayor of Gloucester, Harjit Gill, said: “I was thrilled to receive the letter and cheque from Yusuf Islam. It is a wonderful gesture and a welcome boost to the Flood Relief Fund.

“Maybe other celebrities and famous people, especially those living in the County, will follow his example and help local flood victims. I would like to thank him on behalf of everyone involved in the fund, the City Council and of course the people of Gloucester."

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