AT the age of 27, Cat Stevens chose to leave a world that was everything to him, except for the lack of spiritualism. The rock star set off on a most unusual journey. He converted to Islam.

The decision held a number of serious consequences. One of them was to change his name to Yusuf Islam. He let his beard and mustache grow, and there were other changes. It was as if he wanted to close the door on his past and open himself wide to a new wo