Malaysia on Tuesday banned a planned concert by Erykah Badu after a photograph appeared showing the Grammy-winning singer with the Arabic word for Allah written on her body.
The American R&B singer was scheduled to perform Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, but some Muslim groups said Badu was an unsuitable role model for young Malaysians after seeing a publicity photo of her with what appeared to be temporary tattoos of the word Allah on her bare shoulders.
A government committee that monitors concerts decided to forbid Badu’s show because she has “offended the religious sensitivities” of Muslims by posing with such tattoos, an Information Ministry official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make public statements.
The 41-year-old, Dallas-born singer had already arrived in Malaysia. She can remain here as a tourist but will not be allowed to perform, the official said.
Information Minister Rais Yatim confirmed the decision on his Twitter account.
Razman Razali, managing director of the show’s Malaysian organizer, Pineapple Concerts, said his company was in contact with government officials and hopes the ban will be reversed.
Badu is “worried and dismayed,” Razman told The Associated Press. She was slated to perform in an auditorium that can hold about 3,000 spectators.
Source – Associated Press >>