Islam said that he chooses not to play the guitar anymore so that his music is more widely acceptable to Muslims.
"There are strict orthodox Muslims that wouldn't approve of the guitar, and I want to be friends with everyone," he said.
The wide variety of questions that followed Islam's speech touched on the many aspects of the singer's life.
Some in the audience congratulated Islam on his philanthropic work with children in Bosnia and in the Muslim schools he has founded in England.
Some questioned his politics. Others just wanted him to sing again.
Dozens showed up in traditional Muslim garb to listen to the religious figure, but many were drawn solely by Islam's musical past.
"He's a part of music history I want to find out more about," M. "Gene" Otto '03 said.
Daniel D. Springer '03 said he wanted to see how Islam has mixed his music and his spirituality.
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