(Reuters) – Pop star Lady Gaga has been refused a permit
to perform in the Indonesian capital next month over security concerns, police said on Tuesday, after
Islamic groups voiced strong objections to her “vulgar” style.
arrival at Narita international airport in Narita, east of Tokyo May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Toru Hanai
Three Islamic groups have expressed their opposition to the concert on June 3,
demanding it be stopped, national police spokesman Saud Usman Nasution said by telephone.
Indonesia, a
secular state, has the world’s largest population of Muslims as well as significant minorities of
Christians, Buddhists and Hindus.
“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,” said Salim Alatas, the Jakarta head of hardline Islamic Defender Front (FPI). “This is
dangerous.”
More than 30,000 concert tickets from a total of 40,000 tickets had been sold, said
the Jakarta Post newspaper. Tickets ranged in price from 465,000 rupiah ($50.35) to 2.25 million rupiah
($240). ($1 = 9235 rupiah)
(Reporting by Olivia Rondonuwu; Editing by Matthew
Bigg and Jeremy
Laurence)