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Selena Gomez too sexy for Malaysia

Promoter PR Worldwide is damaging the faith of Muslims by booking the "sexy" singer during a holy month, says Islamist party PAS

By Jon Chapple on 18 Jul 2016

Selena Gomez, American Music Awards 2015, Disney–ABC Television Group

Gomez performs at the 2015 American Music Awards in November


image © Disney–ABC Television Group

The youth wing of a Malaysian political party has called for Selena Gomez to be banned from the country, claiming that the American singer’s upcoming show at the Stadium Malawati (13,000-cap.) in Selangor “tarnishes the glory” of the month of Shawwal, when Malay Muslims celebrate the holiday of Hari Raya (Eid al-Adha).

Hafez Sabri, chairman of Pemuda PAS, the youth wing of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, PAS), has asked the Selangor Islamic Religious Council to “restrict the presence of Selena Gomez, who can damage the faith, worship and morals of Muslims”, arguing that Gomez’s “sexy appearance” has the potential to “revive a culture of hedonism among the younger generation” in Malaysia.

“An American-born artist who is synonymous with a sexy appearance is tarnishing the glory of Shawwal”

Gomez will play in Malaysia on 25 July as part of her Revival tour, before moving on to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

In a statement, Pemuda PAS says local government should have thought more “strictly and carefully” before granting promoter PR Worldwide a permit for the show, urging authorities to comply with guidelines set down by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) last year. The Sharia-compliant rules – which, among other things, impose a dress code on performers and mandate the separation of sexes – are not enforceable laws but should, says the Malaysian government, be followed by promoters.

 


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