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Malaysia Bars Muslims From Attending Concert Sponsored By Guinness

By Howard M. Friedman

In Malaysia, government regulations prohibit concerts from being sponsored by makers of alcoholic beverages. CBC News yesterday reported that an exception to the rule was made for a concert by the hip-hop group, Black Eyed Peas, to be sponsored next month in Kuala Lumpur by the Irish beer company Guinness. The brewery is celebrating its 250th anniversary by sponsoring celebrations around the world, and Malaysia thinks the concert will promote tourism. However, the government says that no Malaysians subject to the country's Shariah law can attend the concert. This includes all ethnic Malays (some 60% of the population) who are considered Muslim. Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol. However, non-Muslims, 18 and over, are encouraged by the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture to attend and have fun.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on August 28, 2009 (boomark / email).