LONDON, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The singer formerly known as Cat Stevens said Thursday he wants an explanation for being denied entry into the United States, the BBC reported.
Speaking to reporters in London, Yusuf Islam said he intended to contact his lawyer over the Tuesday incident in which his London-to-Washington flight was diverted to Bangor, Maine, and he was held.
His name had recently been placed on a U.S. terror watch list, and he was ordered to return to England.
"It's crazy and everybody knows me from my charitable work and now there has to be explanations," Islam said.
His detention and return to Britain sparked a protest to the U.S. government by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who told U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell the action "should not have been taken."
The former singer said he was treated well and not handcuffed while in detention, and said he signed many autographs for security officials.
Before converting to Islam in 1977, Stevens had a string of pop hits such as "Morning Has Broken" and "Wild World."
