According to The Associated Press, Beyonce has scheduled a show in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for Oct. 25, despite being banned from performing there two years ago.
Beyonce was forced in 2007 to cancel her concert in the predominantly Islamic country after the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party and other groups threatened protests over her sexy image and too revealing-clothing choice.
Beyonce draws ire of conservatives
The R&B superstar has now announced she will perform in Malaysia in October after having canceled her scheduled performances due to numerous protests from Muslim groups two years ago.
However, things may not go quite as planned as Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party’s Vice Head Sabki Yusof has already declared protest against Beyonce’s concert.
On Sunday, Yusof said that his organization will be sending a protest note to the government over the concert.
“We are not against entertainment as long as it is within the framework of our culture and our religion,” he said. “We are against Western sexy performances. We don’t think our people need that.”
Determined to perform this time
But, Beyonce said on her Web site that her concert in Malaysia will go ahead despite the objections of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic party.
"Beyonce for the first time ever has decided to make Malaysia part of her 'I am.' World Tour", her Web site said.
The concert is set for Oct. 25 at the Bukit Jalil national stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's biggest city.
Muslim women in Malaysia specifically live under a strict code in which female performers are required to dress and behave conservatively. They are required to cover themselves from shoulders to knees with no cleavage showing while performing on stage.
The conservatives in this Muslim-majority country say the multiple award-winning singer Beyonce’s clothing choice goes against the Islamic rules.
"We oppose the holding of such concerts and we will take action to prevent such a concert from taking place in Malaysia. This performance is not suitable for Muslims as her skimpy attire and behavior onstage are immoral and lead to unclean behavior," the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party said on Sunday.
Other artists under similar protest threats
Beyonce is not the only one to be banned from performing in the predominately Muslim country. Musical performers like Avril Lavigne, Gwen Stefani and most recently the Black Eyed Peas have faced similar resistance in Malaysia.
The Black Eyed Peas concert, scheduled for this Friday, was initially banned because it was sponsored by Irish beer maker Guinness.
The government has since reversed the order forbidding Muslims from attending a Black Eyed Peas concert.
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