Muslims in Malaysia have been prohibited from going to a Black Eyed Peas concert that is sponsored by Guinness. This comes as a result of restrictions on alcohol consumption within the Muslim majority. Last week, 32-year-old fashion model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno became the first woman to be publicly canned for drinking alcohol in a hotel lounge in 2008 [click to read].
An official at the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture spoke to AP about this.
“Muslims cannot attend. Non-Muslims can go and have fun,” the anonymous official said, staying under anonymity because she isn’t allowed to make public statements on the matter.
She also added that the concert would not have been allowed to go on at all due to government regulations banning the organization of concerts by alcohol companies, but an exception was granted because the event may draw tourists in.
There is no official word on how the ban will be enforced. The Peas are performing at a theme park near Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 25 as part of global celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of Guinness‘ flagship brewery in Dublin, Ireland. Kuala Lumpur is one of five places hosting Guinness‘ concerts.
The official site for the concert states that “the party is only open to non-Muslims aged 18 years and above.”
The concert is set to take place in Kuala Lumpur on September 25, 2009.
