Cat Stevens awarded libel damages
Singer Yusuf Islam has announced he's won substantial damages from two British newspapers which alleged he supported terrorism.
The British star, formerly known as Cat Stevens, was travelling on a flight from London to Washington, DC, when it was diverted to Bangor, Maine, in September before he was deported from the United States.
The US Homeland Security Department said he was deported after his name turned up on US "no fly" lists because of activities they said could be potentially linked to terrorism.
British publications The Sun and The Sunday Times suggested the US authorities had been right to refuse Islam entry to the country.
Islam says: "I am delighted by the settlement which helps vindicate my character and good name.
"It seems to me the easiest thing in the world these days to make scurrilous accusations against Muslims, and in my case it directly impacts on my relief work and damages my reputation as an artist. The harm done is often difficult to repair."
The 57-year-old singer intends to contribute the undisclosed damages he receives to projects for orphans hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami.
He visited Indonesia in January (05) and is set to release a charity single called Indian Ocean later this month.
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