As Nashville’s Muslim community continued to grow, Yusuf’s musical side remained on hold. He has said he didn’t pick up a guitar for 20 years until his son brought one home, just a few months after the Sept. 11 attacks. Last year, he told Rolling Stone part of his decision to return to music was the desire for the world to see “one non-violent Muslim on TV.”
"There was so much antagonism in the world," he said. "Many Muslims have come up to me, shook my hand and said, 'Thank you! Thank you.' I'm representing the way they want to be seen. So much of the middle ground gets forgotten in the extremities we witness around the world."
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