DAR AL ISLAM - MALAYSIA: GWEN STEFANI FOLDS LIKE A CHEAP HOUSE OF CARDS

Original story was posted on July 31, 2007:

DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - U.S.A./MALAYSIA: GWEN STAFANI TOO RISQUE FOR MALAYSIAS MOSLEMS


Gwen Stefani ignores Muslim sex protests

US singer Gwen Stefani will perform in Malaysia as scheduled despite protests from an Islamic students' group objecting to her raunchy performances and outfits, the sponsor of the show said last night.

The 10,000-strong National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students has objected to Stefani's August 21 concert - part of her Sweet Escape tour - because of her past record of "indecent dressing and obscenity".

Maxis Communications, the parent company for Hotlink, the concert's main sponsor, said the show would go on because authorities already approved it.

"Maxis Communications respects the values and conventions of this country," Maxis said in a statement.

"Whether it concerns the singer's attire or the security for the concert, we will abide by the rules and guidelines and assure that nothing will go wrong," Maxis' media, research and event general manager Rozalita Abdul Rahman said.

Mohamed Hilmi Ramli, the Muslim students' union president, said Malaysian youth "would be exposed to moral decay if we continue to allow such concerts to be held in Malaysia".

Stefani, who usually sports avant-garde outfits, platinum blonde hair and flaming red lipstick, will be briefed on the standard of dressing and conduct she must follow during the concert, Rozalita said, adding that similar briefings were given to other performers who visited Malaysia.

"All foreign artistes need to understand our culture and at the same time, as for Malaysians, we also need to have an open mind on such matters," said Rozalita.

The student group has previously objected to concerts by other foreign performers including Pussy Cat Dolls, Scorpions, Michael Jackson and Linkin Park.

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[and]


Gwen To Cover Up After Muslim Protest

Gwen Stefani has ditched her revealing concert costumes after protests from Muslim students in Malaysia.

The National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students wanted to stop the popstar performing in the country because, they said, her skimpy oufits and cheeky performances clashed with Islamic values.

"It promotes a certain degree of obscenity and will encourage youth to emulate the western lifestyle," the union's vice president, Abdul Muntaqim, said.

But concert organisers, Maxis, have now promised that Ms Stefani will follow the local code of ethics for foreign artists, which bans the unnecessary baring of skin.

Under the official guide to performing in Malaysia, a female performer must be covered from the top of her chest to her knees, including shoulders.

No jumping, shouting or throwing of objects on stage or at the audience is allowed.

Performers cannot hug or kiss, and their clothes must not have obscene or drug-related images or messages.

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Had this be me, I would have told the Malaysians to go suck bacon regardless of the financial consequences...



Pertinent Links:

1) Gwen Stefani ignores Muslim sex protests

2) Gwen To Cover Up After Muslim Protest