Cat Stevens flays Pope over comments about Islam London, Sept. 25 (AP): Singer Cat Stevens who has converted to Islam, has criticised Pope Benedict XVI for his controversial comments about Islam and said he should familiarise himself with Mahatma Gandhi's writings on religion. In a speech in Germany earlier this month, Benedict quoted a Byzantine emperor from medieval times calling some of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad "evil and inhuman."
The pope should familiarise himself with more peaceful interpretation of the religion, such as the writings of Indian leader Mohandas Gandhi, the singer, known as Yousef Islam, said yesterday.
The singer, whose hits such as "Moon Shadow" and "Peace Train" made him a star in 1960s and 1970s, said in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corp that the pope's words proved that he was not infallible.
"At one point I used to believe that the pope was infallible," Islam said, referring to teachings he received while attending a Catholic school as a boy.
The pontiff "should have looked elsewhere if he wanted to quote, but we respect the pope and his position. I do believe he has retracted, in a way, that statement and that's all to the good," he said.
Since his conversion to Islam in 1977, the 58-year-old has become well known to Britons as an activist.
In 2004, Islam was barred from entering the United States, after US security officials said his name was on list of banned people.
