FORMER POP SINGER
CAT STEVENS CRITICIZES
EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE
AS HE IS HONORED BY BRITISH UNIVERSITY
By Michael Ireland
Sunday, November 6, 2005
GLOUCESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND (ANS) --
Former pop star Yusuf Islam, previously known as Cat
Stevens, has spoken of the poor response to the South Asian earthquake
which hit Pakistan and India on Oct. 8.
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Yusuf
Islam
Photo Credit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/
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The singer,
who had a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, including the hit
single "Morning Has Broken," received an honorary doctorate of
philosophy at an awards ceremony from the University of Gloucestershire.
After the ceremony, Islam criticized the humanitarian response to the
recent earthquake in South Asia and said the aid effort should have
been greater.
Speaking about the earthquake, he said: "There should have been more of
a response in regards to the need for helicopters and other transport
systems to deliver the aid, but nobody was ready for it.
"That is perhaps an indictment on most countries of the world."
According to a report on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
websitr,he asked: "Why isn't there more of a ready, rapid, response
force which governments can take part in to help?"
Receiving his award, Islam said: "This is a symbol of the inclusivity
of which this country can be so proud."
Lord Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury and chancellor of the
University of Gloucestershire, said of the awards: "This university was
founded on Christian principles and we are honored and delighted at the
presence of Islam in our university community."
| ** Michael Ireland is an
international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a
London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News
Service of Garden Grove, California. Michael immigrated to the United
States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is
married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor
to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. |
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