KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — British singer songwriter Yusuf Islam, better known as Cat Stevens, paid a visit to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today, following the recent passing of his wife, Tun Dr Hasmah Mohamad Ali.

In a Facebook post, Yusuf said he read Al-Fatihah with Dr Mahathir, noting that the couple had been married for 70 years.

The gesture drew warm responses from admirers, many thanking the musician for consoling Dr Mahathir in his grief.

“Sitting beside someone during grief is the greatest gift we can give,” one comment read, while others praised Yusuf for bringing strength and comfort to the elder statesman.