Kuala Lumpur, September 03: Malaysia will allow Muslims to attend a concert by the US hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas, reversing an earlier ban that was put in place because alcohol is to be sold during the event, officials said Wednesday.
The concert’s official website had earlier said the September 25 “party is only open to non-Muslims aged 18 years and above.” However, a check on the website Wednesday showed that the concert was now open to all those above 18.
The concert is sponsored by Guinness beer, and organizers had said alcohol would be sold and served throughout the show at a theme park near the capital, Kuala Lumpur.
The government and organizers have yet to comment officially on the sudden reversal of the ban.
Malaysia’s majority Muslim population are governed in family and personal matters by Islamic sharia laws, which forbid consumption of alcohol.
–Agencies