“Yusuf Islam is not welcome in Queensland and should not have received an Australian visa.” – DLP Senate team leader in Queensland, Tony Zegenhagen
Queensland’s Democratic Labor Party team leader for the Senate, Tony Zegenhagen, is angry that Australia is welcoming a Muslim musician who advocated the burning to death of author Salman Rushdie.
In 1989 Yusuf Islam – formerly Cat Stevens – stated on a UK television program that rather than see Salman Rushdie burned in effigy, he would like to see the real thing. He also asserted that he would like to deliver up the author to Ayatollah Khomeini, the Iranian extremist who pronounced the fatwa (order of death) upon Mr Rushdie.
“Queensland does not need a visit from any advocate of extremist violence,” said Tony Zegenhagen. “Unless and until this man recants his wicked support for murder, he should never be allowed in Australia. Yusuf Islam is not welcome in Queensland and should not have received an Australian visa.”
“We are fortunate that the entertainment industry offers a very wide selection of artists who represent good role models. A bigot like Yusuf Islam is not among them.”
“Instead of attending a Yusuf Islam concert, I encourage all Queenslanders to spend their money on entertainers who share our respect for freedom of speech and human life.”
