Malaysia had reversed its earlier ban on Muslims attending the concert of the US hip-hop band ‘Black Eyed Peas’, saying that it is not proper to restrict people from such an event.
The concert will be held on September 25 and is sponsored by ‘Guinness,’ which is owned by Diageo, the world’s biggest spirits group. The Black Eyed Peas concert in Malaysia is part of the celebration for the 250th birthday of said alcoholic brews.
Rais Yatim, Information Minister of Malaysia, said that it is up to the people’s “better judgment” to decide on their own if they should attend the event organised by a beverage company.
About 55 percent of the 27 million people in the Southeast Asian country are Muslims and they are barred from drinking alcohol. However, this rule is largely disregarded, especially in big capital cities like Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A 32-year old Muslim woman was arrested in a hotel for drinking beer. She was recently sentenced to six strokes of the cane by the Islamic Court in Malaysia. The case sparked debates regarding the growth of Islam in Malaysia and other neighbouring countries.
The Malaysian government has its dual-track legal system, with family laws and Islamic criminal laws, which are applicable to Malaysian Muslims alongside their civil laws.
Malaysia’s Foreign Music Act often draws protests, particularly from the Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).
Just last week, the PAS called for a ban of a concert given by the Danish band Michael Learns To Rock because it was a “grave insult” for Muslims to attend such event during the month of Ramadan.
Since 2007, PAS had protested against numerous international performers, including Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne, Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Rihanna.
