Malaysian Islamic Party seeks Concert Ban

Oh no, it's happening again. The leading Muslim party in Malaysia wants Michael Learns to Rock banned from performing next month at Genting Highlands. Wouldn't it just be easier to ban Muslims from the concert, but allow non-Muslims to attend and have some fun without their Muslim brethern? Why not just ban Muslims from all rock concerts? And keep them out of all nightclubs that serve liquor?

The New York Times reports and reminds us of other rock performers who have had problems with the Malaysian government.

Malaysia’s conservative Islamic party on Monday called for the Danish band Michael Learns to Rock to be banned from performing next month, saying it was an insult to Muslims during Ramadan.

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) has campaigned against several foreign performers, and in 2007 threatened protests which forced Beyoncé to scrap a planned concert in Malaysia.

“We are opposing this concert because holding it does not respect Muslims as it is the fasting month of Ramadan, a time for holiness and cleanliness,” PAS youth wing chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi told Agence France-Presse.

“It is an insult to Islam for the government to allow such a concert to take place and we urge all groups to follow our lead in demanding the concert be banned,” he said.

The “Michael Learns to Rock — Eternity Tour 2009” is set to take place at the Genting Highlands resort north of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on September 5, according to the Web site of the promoter, Star Planet.

A spokesman for the company was not immediately available for comment.

Mr. Nasrudin said his party would consider “taking action” if the government did not stop the performance but did not specify what form that would take.

PAS held protests against 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 singled out, and although the event went ahead she was forced to cover up after complaints about her skimpy outfits.