09-26-2004, 01:33 PM
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#37 (permalink)
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Banned
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Quote:
Yusuf Islam, formerly the singer Cat Stevens, was deported from the United States because of a spelling error, with US officials confusing the former pop star with a man with a similar name who is on a "no-fly" list, Time magazine claims.
Mr Islam, 57, gave up his successful pop career in the late 1970s, and converted to Islam.
He had been travelling from London to Washington last Tuesday when his flight was diverted to Bangor, Maine, where he was detained on "national security grounds" and summarily put on a plane to London, US security officials said. Asa Hutchinson, the US Department of Homeland Security's under-secretary for border and transportation security, refused to specify the allegations against Mr Islam.
Time, in its online edition, quoted aviation sources with access to the "no-fly" list as saying there was no entry on the list under the name Yusuf Islam, but that there was a Youssouf Islam. They said that name was added to the list this northern summer.
Because Mr Islam's name is spelled Yusuf on his passport, the sources said, he was allowed to board a plane in London bound for the US.
The US Transportation Safety Administration alleges Mr Islam has links to terrorist groups, which he has denied.
Mr Islam, back in London, said he had begun legal action against US authorities.
"The amazing thing is I was not given, and have still not been given, any explanation," he said.
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http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...?oneclick=true |
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