LONDON (AFP) - Singer-songwriter and peace activist Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, arrived back in London after he was refused entry into the United States on security grounds.
Sky News television showed a tired-looking Islam arriving at London's main Heathrow airport after an overnight flight from Washington, saying he hoped the whole "ridiculous" episode had been a mistake.
Islam, 57, was travelling to the US capital on Tuesday when his flight was diverted to Bangor, Maine where he was detained on "national security grounds," a US security official told AFP in Washington.
He was later transferred to Washington for his flight back to his Britain.
In a few words with reporters before getting into a car, Islam said: "The whole thing is totally ridiculous... Half of me wants to smile and half of me wants to growl."
Asked if he felt "victimised," he replied: "Absolutely, but for God's sake, people make mistakes. I just hope that they've made a big mistake."
Islam, who visited the United States earlier this year without incident, is best known for such mellow 1970s hits as "Morning Has Broken," "Wild World" and "Peace Train". He converted to the Muslim faith in 1977.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw discussed Islam's situation with US Secretary of State Colin Powell at the UN General Assembly in New York, as Muslim groups on both sides of the Atlantic denounced his treatment.