Malaysian Muslims Want to Ban Elton John Concert, Decry Singer's 'Wrong Values'

Elton John won’t be performing this week in Malaysia if one of the country’s political parties has a say in the matter.

Nasruding Hassan Tantawi, head of the youth wing of the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic party (PAS), said the concert “must be cancelled.”

“Artists who are involved in gay and lesbian activities must not be allowed to perform in Malaysia as they will promote the wrong values,” he said.

Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, where almost two-thirds of the 28 million population are Muslim, and is punishable by caning and up to 20 years in prison…. 

Malaysia has a history of banning performers who are regarded as being gay and lesbian advocates. In 2011, Lady Gaga’s concert was cancelled after the Malaysian authorities said her song ‘Born This Way’ promoted homosexuality.

John is openly gay, actively raises money on behalf of gay and lesbian issues, and married his long-term partner David Furnish in 2005.

We await an outcry from the gay and lesbian community over this hateful proposition.