The Malaysian Government has barred Muslims from a gig by American hip-hop stars the Black Eyed Peas next month because the event is organised by Irish beer giant Guinness.
The ban comes amid a clampdown on alcohol consumption among Malaysia's Muslim majority. A Muslim woman who drank beer in public was sentenced to caning by an Islamic court last month, although authorities agreed to review the penalty this week. Officials also recently curbed retail sales of liquor in a central state.
In family and personal matters, Muslims in Malaysia are governed by shariah law, which forbids alcohol consumption. The Black Eyed Peas will perform near Kuala Lumpur on September 25 as part of worldwide celebrations for the 250th anniversary of Guinness's flagship brewery in Dublin.
The Malaysian show's official web site said, ''The party is only open to non-Muslims aged 18 years and above.'' Previous pop concerts in Malaysia, including a Black Eyed Peas one in 2007, have been open to Muslims. A Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture official said, ''Non-Muslims can go and have fun.'' AP
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