Yusuf Islam lauds Turkey's efforts to help refugees

British singer-songwriter and philanthropist Yusuf Islam has praised Turkey’s role in helping Syrian refugees, highlighting the fact that the West does not even come close to matching the country’s achievements.

The musician, who was formerly known as Cat Stevens, converted to Islam in 1977 and adopted the name Yusuf Islam the following year. In 1979, he auctioned all his guitars for charity and left his music career to devote himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community all around the world.

Islam was in Istanbul recently to unveil the Turkish translation of his last book “Why I Still Carry A Guitar: The Spiritual Journey of Cat Stevens to Yusuf,” which was published in English in 2014.

In an interview with Anadolu Agency on Saturday, the artist said Turkey’s contribution towards helping refugees shows “the slogan of human rights has more meaning in here than it does in the United Nations”. Yusuf said:

Turkey is looking after so many, 3 million visitors, that is an extraordinary [achievement]

About Turkey’s regional importance and role, he said the country “has historically been a global protectorate for many nations. It is part of the character of Turkish people to play a central role. “It had an amazing history being able to create a peace amongst people even if they are from different religions, different cultures,” he added.