Thousands of Muslims - including the singer once known as Cat Stevens - are
arriving in Toronto today for one of the largest Islamic conferences in Canada.
About 17,000 people are expected to
attend the three-day Reviving the Islamic Spirit convention at the Metro Toronto
Convention Centre. The 8th annual conference bills itself as a way for young
Muslims to build ties within their faith and across cultural lines.
It will feature many top Islamic
scholars and speakers, including Yusuf Islam, the name Stevens - one of the
best-known folk singers from the 1970s - now goes by.
Organizers say it's Islam's first
Canadian appearance in nearly 10 years.
The conference will also feature
performances from a member of a Muslim hip-hop group and the comedy troupe
"Allah Made Me Funny."