Lady Gaga's Concert Cancelled in Indonesia After Religious Leaders' Outcry; Police Could Not Guarantee Safety
Lady Gaga's sold-out concert in Indonesia was forced to be cancelled following uproar from Islamists who have slammed the singer for her "vulgar" style, saying she could corrupt the nation's youth.
The concert, part of the "Born This Way Ball" tour which kicked off in South Korea, was scheduled for June 3 at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta. The 52,000-seat stadium was expected to be packed out but Gaga was reportedly denied a permit to the country after religious conservatives got involved.
AP reported that Indonesia's national police said today that the permit for the show has been denied. Earlier reports alleged that some of her worst critics threatened to use physical force to prevent the Paparazzi singer from getting off the plane in Indonesia.
Indonesia has the world's largest population of Muslims and are known to have very religious extremists.
Salim Alatas, the Jakarta head of hardline Islamic Defender Front (FPI), told Reuters: "She's a vulgar singer who wears only panties and a bra when she sings and she stated she is the envoy of the devil's child and that she will spread satanic teaching. This is dangerous."
The permit was pulled after local police expressed their concern that thy could not guarantee security at the show and suggested to national police that the tour be cancelled.
According to AP, permits for concerts in Jakarta are typically issued three weeks before the concert date.
Lady Gaga's concert in South Korea last month was banned for minors under the age of 18. Over 50,000 fans packed out the Olympic stadium in Seoul wearing paper bracelets that certified that they were "18 above". They were required to present national ID cards in order to enter the concert venue in response to the public outcry which deemed Lady Gaga's concert as too pornographic.
Christian activists in the country fought to ban the concert but was not successful. However, uutside the concert venue, Christian activists were seen praying while some held placards reading "Lady Gaga. Go Home!"
