Yusuf Islam has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Exeter in a ceremony attended by esteemed personalities including His Excellency Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and guitarist Brian May.

The prestigious degree was bestowed upon Yusuf in recognition of his humanitarian work, and his efforts towards improving understanding between Islamic and western cultures.

Yusuf said “I am extremely honoured to be receiving a doctorate from this esteemed university and its fellowship of scholars. I was both delighted and pleasantly surprised when I received the offer.”