PAS not opposed to all concerts, says Selangor Youth leader

 

Amid PAS' calls for the government to call off British pop star Ed Sheeran's upcoming concert, a party leader has claimed that the Islamist party is not opposed to "all concerts".

In fact, Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar said he would personally attend any concert or entertainment event that follows guidelines set by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

"Even in Kelantan, there are certain concerts, but they have to abide by the set rules and guidelines.

"If a foreign artist is brought in to perform in our country, the individual must respect our culture and manners.

"Otherwise, we don't want an artist who brings in perverse culture into the country, which would indirectly impact the rakyat's thinking and mindset," Sukri (above) told Malaysiakini today.

Yesterday, PAS Ulama chief Ahmad Yahaya reportedly urged the government to cancel Sheeran's concert as the singer was “a known supporter of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) community”.

Penang Mufti Wan Salim Mohd Noor voiced similar concerns.

Concert guidelines

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil gave his assurance that the Feb 24 concert will proceed as scheduled at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, as it has received the green light from the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal).

Commenting further, Sukri proposed Putrajaya to add more Jakim members into Puspal so that the decisions taken will be in line with the Muslim-majority country.

"I urge the government to draft concert guidelines through the religious affairs minister. Also, I understand that currently, there's only one Jakim officer in Puspal, so I would like to ask the government to boost the numbers.

"I also think that the mufti should also be involved in drafting concert guidelines, to ensure our culture is guarded. If everything is done by the book, even I will attend the concert," he said.

Previously, British band Coldplay’s concert also received similar backlash from religious leaders and opposition politicians, labelling them immoral for supporting LGBTQ+.