MARLENA NIP WRITES – Malaysian officials won’t take any risks with Western bands bashing Allah and the Quran.
The Communications and Multimedia Ministry has denied Lamb of God, a U.S.-based heavy metal band, a permit to perform in Kuala Lampur. Tour promoter Livescape Asia had scheduled a concert featuring the Grammy-nominated band at the end of September, but officials in the Muslim-majority nation said they worried Lamb could stir up religious trouble.
The history of the band’s music includes lyrics that mix the Quran and heavy metal. Malaysian officials said the lyrics could “confuse Malaysians and lead them astray [from Islam]”. The band issued a statement saying it was frustrated by groups offended after only a glance at their lyrics, and encouraged people to take a closer look at the true meaning of the words.
This isn’t the first time Malaysia has denied a Western band a permit to perform. U.S. singer Erykah Badu was banned in 2012 after a photo of her “Allah” tattoo surfaced.
Many of the nation’s laws adhere to Islamic practices. Even radio stations that play songs such as Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” will sensor out the “girl” lyric of the song. The Malaysian government soldiers on with its strict enforcement of Islamic-influenced laws and will continue to do so as long as the population stays predominantly Muslim.
For more information please visit:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23956174
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/09/04/Lamb-of-god-denied.aspx
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/05/malaysia-bans-lamb-of-god-metal-blasphemy
http://www.religionnews.com/2013/09/05/lamb-of-god-banned-from-performing-in-malaysia/