U.S. Soul Singer's Allah Symbol Sparks Anger in Malaysia
A newspaper in Muslim-majority Malaysia apologized on Tuesday after it came under fire for running a photo of American singer Erykah Badu showing body art that included the Arabic word for "Allah.”
The controversial soul artist is scheduled to perform in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, and a preview story in The Star daily on Monday included a photo showing various symbols on her upper body including in Arabic and Hebrew.
It was not immediately clear whether the symbols were permanent tattoos. Tattoos are forbidden in Islam and many Muslims also frown upon depictions of the word "Allah" that are deemed frivolous or disrespectful.
The Star said the photo was published "inadvertently."
"We deeply regret any offence caused to Muslims and sincerely apologize for the oversight," it said.
The Home Ministry said in a statement it would issue a warning letter to the newspaper asking it to explain within one week how the photo came to be published. Three top editors were summoned to the ministry on Monday.
Mashitah Ibrahim, a deputy minister in the prime minister's department, called the photo an insult.
"Our religion does not even permit the name of Allah to be brought into the bathroom, let alone be used as a tattoo," she was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying.
The opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) plans to submit a protest note to the government urging it to cancel the show and punish the paper, said Mohammed Adram Mousa, an official with the PAS youth wing.
A spokeswoman for the concert organizer told Agence France Presse the show would go ahead.
PAS frequently protests concerts by Western artists, alleging they promote promiscuous lifestyles and corrupt young minds.
Most eventually go ahead after performers are asked to tone down their acts.
Badu sparked controversy in 2010 with a video for her song "Window Seat."
In the video, Badu is seen stripping naked while walking the street in Dallas, Texas where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, eventually falling "dead" at the fateful spot.
28 February 2012, 09:31
00
What if Chris Brown shows up in the Arab world with his big Jesus face tattoo? Or what if Justin Bieber shows up with his big Jesus face tattoo and the Jesus written in Hebrew tattoo?
28 February 2012, 16:33
00
RESPECT! In America you have the freedom to do as you wish within the law. In other countries you have the freedom to do as you wish within religious law. DO NOT confuse the two! There are nude beaches in South American countries. You can't practice that in the United States. Get Real!
29 February 2012, 09:09
00
Religion is srs bsns in Malaysia. God forbid (pun unintended) if you do something to offend their largest religion, you'll get all kinds of religious organizations calling out for your blood.
19 March 2013, 20:21
00
You're absolutely right, Chocolate Apple. Religion is a serious business here in Malaysia, where I originate. Offending other religions can often lead to bloodshed. Here in this country where Islam is the official religion, some people also follow other religions too. The Indians follow Hinduism and Sikhism while the Chinese follow Buddhism. Christianity, however, is professed by some Chinese, Indians, Eurasians (descendants of Portuguese and Dutch settlers intermarried with local Malays) and tribes living in the states of Sarawak and Sabah on Borneo but today in Malaysia some of these races have found peace in life by converting to Islam.
Erykah Badu is a real pain in the neck. How could she offend Islam by having Allah's name tattooed on her body? What I don't really like is that Muslims in her home country have been offended by both whites and blacks alike.
