Beyonce's Kuala Lumpur concert canceled

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- U.S. singer Beyonce Knowles' Malaysian stage debut has been canceled following protests by Muslim groups, Usmagazine.com said Friday.

Pineapple Concerts, a concert promotion company based in Kuala Lumpur, issued a statement Friday announcing the news without offering a reason why.

A ministry official maintained that Pineapple had not applied for a license to stage the concert, but industry sources told Billboard magazine that was because Knowles refused to comply with a strict dress code.

The Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage forbids female performers to show any skin from the tops of their chests to their knees.

The agency has also banned hugging or kissing audience members or fellow artists, jumping or shouting and foul language, said Usmagazine.com.

Several Muslim groups -- including the 10,000-member National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students -- urged the ministry to cancel Knowles' concert.

Singer Gwen Stefani faced similar issues when she played Putra Stadium last month.

The National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students said her "revealing" outfits went against their Islamic values.

To appease her critics, Stefani wore jackets over her tops and leotards under her skirts and dresses.

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Copyright 2007 by United Press International.