Stevens' deportation due to spelling mistake, magazine says

The singer formerly known as Cat Stevens was deported from the US because of a mis-spelling of his new name Yusuf Islam, Time magazine reported.

It said there is a Youssouf Islam on the US's no-fly registry and this was mixed up with the one-time singer's name.

Known as Yusuf Islam since he shelved his singing and songwriting career and became a Muslim almost three decades ago, his Washington-bound plane was diverted on Tuesday to Bangor, Maine, after his name turned up on US lists of suspected terrorists.

Homeland Security spokesman Brian Doyle said at the time: "Why is he on the watch lists? Because of his activities that could be potentially linked to terrorism. The intelligence community has come into possession of additional information that further raises our concern."

- HERALD STAFF