Singer Cat Stevens calls for release of British hostage in Iraq

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2004

BAGHDAD (AFP) — British former pop star and Muslim convert Cat Stevens called "in the name of Allah" on the kidnappers of British engineer Kenneth Bigley in Iraq to release him.

In a letter sent to the British embassy in Baghdad, he said: "As a member of the Muslim Council I request you, in the name of Allah, the Rahman (the all merciful), to release British citizen Ken Bigley for the good name of our religion and according to the sayings of Allah in the glorious Quran."

Stevens, known as Yusuf Islam since he converted in the late 1970s, quoted two verses from the Muslim holy book: "Verily! Allah commands you to do justice and be kind" and "No soul can bear the burden of another's sin".

He urged the Tawhid wal Jihad (Unity and Holy War) group, which is...