MALAYSIA: US singer Erykah Badu says she respects the Malaysian government's decision to cancel her concert after a controversial photo was published in local newspapers

Record ID: 572965

  • Title: MALAYSIA: US singer Erykah Badu says she respects the Malaysian government's decision to cancel her concert after a controversial photo was published in local newspapers
  • Date: 29th February 2012
  • Summary: MALAYSIAN PAPERS, THE STAR, THAT CARRIES THE PHOTO BADU NEWS/PHOTO OF DRAWING BEARING THE WORD 'ALLAH' IN ARABIC PHOTO OF DRAWING BEARING THE WORD 'ALLAH' IN ARABIC DRAWING BEARING THE WORD 'ALLAH' IN ARABIC
  • Embargoed: 15th March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Country: Malaysia
  • Topics: International Relations,Entertainment,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA21NG1T2UFFJGZ0TU80ZYNUTBZ
  • Story Text: R&B singer Erykah Badu on Wednesday (February 29) said she respected the Malaysian government's decision to cancel her concert due to a controversial photo showing the Arabic word for Allah on her body.
    Badu told a press conference that she agreed with the government stance that this particular body art was disrespectful to Muslims in the country.
    She added the drawing was meant to imitate a character from the movie "The Holy Mountain" who bears "every symbol, ideology and words that mean God on her body" as the director was trying to convey a message that there's only one God and all religions are one.
    But the idea was rejected by Malaysian Information minister and some Muslims in the country.
    "He (The minister) said that he didn't agree with the belief, and I agreed with him if that picture was published and (people) immediate know anything about it, then it is disrespectful. If that's what the people believe," the 41-year-old America singer said in Kuala Lumpur.
    She was scheduled to perform in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (February 29) but the show was banned on Tuesday after the photograph appeared in a local newspaper on Monday (February 27).
    Badu said instead of using a handout photo from the promoter -- which had the body art erased - the Malaysian English-language daily used an uncensored version of the same photo.
    "The promoter issued a set of press photographs and he (the papers) chose that one because of its layout. But I think it's their responsible in blurring out the names of Allah, since it is something that the people, the Muslim people hold very sacred here," said Badu.
    A government committee said in a statement that the photo "could jeopardize national security and cause a negative impact to the government's image", while Muslims groups called her as an unsuitable role model for young Muslims.
    "I understand. I think art is often misunderstood in the realm of religion, and it's okay. As an artist my only job is to be honest, fearless and truthful and hope that the art I create does promote dialogue," she said.
    Malaysia has a reputation of censoring international artists and requiring foreign performers to tone down their acts to suit local sensibilities.
    Singers Mariah Carey and Beyonce were told to don attires that reveal little skin while Adam Lambert was warned not to promote 'gay culture' during shows.
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