Spinner

Sir Elton John Faces Down Islamic Protest to Play Morocco

Sir Elton John is to headline Morocco's largest music festival, despite calls from Islamist political parties that the government should deny him entry.

Opposition politicians argue the ivory-tinkling performer would harm the image of the North African kingdom should he be allowed to perform at the Mawazine World Rhythms Festival in the country's capital, Rabat.

Despite the outcry, Sir Elton will headline the festival -- which begins on May 21 -- and brings together musicians from 50 countries. This follows news earlier this month that the openly gay artist has been banned from Egypt over remarks about Jesus, as was previously reported in Spinner.

Quoted in the Telegraph newspaper, festival director Aziz Daki said, "Elton John is one of the best artists in the world. He is great and extraordinary when he appears on stage. That's why we invite him and welcome him to the Mawazine festival. The private life of a singer is not our business. We do not invite singers and artists after assessing their private lives."

Mustapha Ramid, from the opposition Islamist PJD party said, "Morocco is an Islamic state where stages should not used to allow a person with such a degree of debauchery to perform, because we have to shield the young from such influences."

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Dave

i think your all idiots who need to be dead.there is more important things like the oil spill and the over population of this world that we have to deal with.

May 19 2010 at 4:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jan

Wow, a collection of confusion and interesting points of view. Biblically we have all been judged and fall short of the expectations of God. Religious ideals are a part of ALL our thinking as we try and justify where we will end up when we die. If you really look at what the most favoured religions have to say, none of them have a positive outcome except Jesus. I may be a little off topic but if you take the time to see what each religion says, eg. Hindus', they have no real answer. So not all paths lead to God. Witches have maybe the best understanding as they are aware of the power in the name of Jesus.

May 19 2010 at 2:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tom

And most people aren't intolerant of gays - they're intolerant of the lifestyle and culture that is shoved down your throats. Because the gay culture, like many others, is just a poser culture. What you do in the bedroom is fine, and your business. So don't make it MY business when you say "I am thuper, theriouthly!". People don't talk like that. It's a scene. I have tremendous respect for the gays who are just regular people and dont run around in green spraypainted combat boots, but alas, such is not always the case. And what's with my tax dollars paying for a Gay Pride parade? I'm proud to be straight, or at least proud to not be gay, so where's my parade?!

May 19 2010 at 1:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kim

The one thing linking all the good god fearing people is a low IQ.
It is a hard sell to people with a higher IQ.
Sorry...no insult intended, that is a well researched issue and evidence proves that religious people have a low IQ.

May 19 2010 at 1:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tom

God probably isn't real. I'm just going with the better odds.

But it doesn't matter what you believe as far as afterlife goes. Just be a good human being and if something as preposterous as an afterlife does exist, we'll all be on the upside of it.

May 19 2010 at 1:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ann

I can't believe that everyone is spending their valuable time on some religious freaks and even getting angry.

Everyone knows that Sir Elton John is one of the best performers around. He's always fun and his songs have a way of grabbing your heart.

He will always step up to the plate for any cause. God bless him. In my church, the United Church of Canada has gay and lesbian ministers. They are so caring and lovely because they've seen hatred first hand.

I would not waste a minute on these people. They are fanatics and therefore are not worth it.

Words from a song - There are no fighting soldiers dying in our streets, I wouldn't take a million dollars for a single Maple Leaf. I'm very proud to be Canadian no matter what our government is like (lol) it will change.

Sir Elton John rocks - his concert will be a sell out.

May 19 2010 at 10:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pat

Pray for God to have His way in Elton's life, and that covers all the bases.

May 19 2010 at 8:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
royb

Just Christin ones???

May 18 2010 at 5:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Trula

Does not matter if your white,black, gay ,straight.Judge not lest ye be judged. Elton is one of the best ever.Nothing can ever change that! People who talk crap are not only stupid but jealous....I just hope that when my time on earth is done that his music will welcome me in my new life.

May 18 2010 at 5:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ben

How can any religion be so hypocritical? Threatening us with Hell and th likes if we don't love one another but spreading hate like that?

May 18 2010 at 4:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply