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Islam one of the cool cats at Nobel Prize concert

PEACENIK: Yusuf Islam, aka Cat Stevens. Pic: UNKNOWN. 24/09/04. © Unknown.
PEACENIK: Yusuf Islam, aka Cat Stevens. Pic: UNKNOWN. 24/09/04. © Unknown.

NORWAY - The former Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam will be one of the performers at this year's Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, promoters said.

NORWAY - The former Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam will be one of the performers at this year's Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, promoters said.

The concert honours each year's Nobel Peace laureates, which for this year are Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh and the Grameen Bank he founded to help people rise above poverty with small loans to start businesses.

The concert will be hosted by actresses Sharon Stone and Anjelica Huston.

The former Cat Stevens changed his name when he converted to Islam in the late 1970s.

Islam will join R&B star Lionel Richie, singer Rihanna and others at the concert.

The London-born Islam had a string of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, including Moon Shadow and Peace Train, before converting to Islam and withdrawing from the music industry.

Later this year he will release his first new album in 28 years.

"There were 100 reasons for leaving the music industry back in 1979, not least because I had found what I was looking for spiritually," said Islam.

"Today there are 101 reasons why I feel right making music and singing about life in this fragile world again." - Sapa

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