Malaysia bars Muslims from rock concert

Black Eyed Peas show is sponsored by beer giant

Malaysia bars Muslims from rock concert

Black Eyed Peas show is sponsored by beer giant

The move comes after a Malaysian Islamic court sentenced a 32-year-old Muslim woman to be caned after she was caught drinking beer in a hotel and at a time when an opposition Islamic party has moved against beer sales.

Black Beauty: Fergie of Black Eyed Peas performs during the MTV Video Music Awards in Japan earlier this year.

The US hip-hop group is due to take to the stage near Kuala Lumpur on September 25 as part of global Arthur's Day celebrations, marking the 250th anniversary of Arthur Guinness opening the first brewery in Dublin in 1759.

The Information, Communication and Culture Ministry had put in this condition, apart from telling the brewery not to put any logos or sell the bitter-sweet brew at the concert.

Music concert rules disallow breweries or alcoholic drinks makers from sponsoring such events but the ministry relented as the concert is expected to boost the tourism industry affected by the recession and the A(H1N1) flu outbreak.

The concert asks on its site www.arthursday.com.my "Are you a non-Muslim aged 18 years and above?" and if the response is no, access is not allowed.

Muslims account for 55 per cent of the country's 27 million population and are barred from consuming alcohol although the rules are regularly flouted, especially in big cities like the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Caning For Beer

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno (32) was sentenced to six strokes of caning by a religious court in Malaysia last month for drinking beer, making her the first woman to face caning under Islamic law in Malaysia.

Religious officials have since delayed her punishment until after Ramadan.

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