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Fatwa on Elton John concert in Morocco?

[additional-authors]
May 29, 2010

Elton John has been known to be a bit flamboyant. So maybe it should come as no surprise that some Muslims in Morocco want to declare a fatwa on Rocketman’s upcoming concert:

Islamists in the North African kingdom were outraged by the gay pop star’s visit, while the royal palace, government and his many fans backed his appearance Wednesday night.

No riots or violence was reported, said Rabat’s governor, Hassan Amrani. Authorities had beefed up security with thousands of police and plainclothes officers.

In a sign of John’s popularity, several thousand of his fans appeared to know his lyrics by heart even though most people in this French and Arabic speaking country know little or no English.

“He is a very big name in the music world, he’s a great artist. And his private life is nobody’s business,” said Leila Hassan, a 43-year-old housewife.

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“This singer is famous for his homosexual behavior and for advocating it,” said Mustapha Ramid, a leader and spokesman for the PJD, the biggest opposition party with 40 lawmakers in parliament.

“We’re a rather open party, but promoting homosexuality is completely unacceptable,” Ramid told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Ramid said homosexuality is against Muslim values, and he feared the British singer would “encourage the phenomenon” and be a bad influence for Moroccan youth.

I’m not sure how hip Elton John is with the kids these days. But you can read the rest and decide for yourself here.

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