KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - – Malaysia's conservative Islamic party
called Sunday for a concert by US singer Beyonce to be banned, two
years after her debut here was shelved over fears of protests by
Muslim groups.
The R&B star is due to perform on October 25 at the Bukit
Jalil national stadium just outside the capital, organiser
Marctensia said on its website.
The Pan-Malaysian Islamic party (PAS) has campaigned against
several foreign performers and in 2007, along with other Muslim
groups, threatened protests that forced Beyonce to scrap her
planned debut concert in Malaysia.
"We oppose the holding of such concerts and we will take action
to prevent such a concert from taking place in Malaysia," PAS youth
chief Nasrudin Tantawi told AFP, without specifying what action
would be taken.
"This performance is not suitable for Muslims as her skimpy
attire and behaviour onstage are immoral and lead to unclean
behaviour," he said.
The scheduled concert is part of Beyonce's "I am..." world tour,
which has seen her perform in North America and Europe, the website
said. The promoters could not be reached for comment.
Performances by foreign artists frequently come under fire in
Malaysia, particularly from PAS.
The Islamic party called for Danish band Michael Learns to Rock
to be banned from performing earlier this month, saying it was an
insult to Muslims during the fasting month of Ramadan. The group
managed to perform without incident.
It also held protests against Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne's
concert last year after failing to have it banned, saying her
performance would weaken the younger generation "morally and
mentally."
A performance by Gwen Stefani was also targeted, and although
the event went ahead she was forced to cover up after complaints
about her skimpy outfits.