May 23, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – As Indonesian Muslim groups fight to stop a “Lady Gaga” concert in their country, the singer claims she is in negotiation with authorities to permit the event under certain restrictions.
Islamic organizations have been fighting against the singer’s scheduled appearance in Jakarta, which is slated for June 3, for several weeks, on the grounds that her risqué, religion-mocking performances are “blasphemous” and toxic to the morality of young people.
“Lady Gaga is considered an icon for liberal culture and Indonesia’s freedom is not without limits,” Asrorun Niam, an official of the Muslim National Ulema Council (MUI), told the French Press Agency. “There are restrictions related to norms, morals and religion.”
“We reject the Lady Gaga concert on a number of considerations, including cultural liberalization, which degrades the morality of the younger generation,” said Muhammad Rahmad Kurnia, Chairman of the Muslim group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), in an interview with the Jakarta Globe.
The performances, which have also sparked protests by Christians in the Philippines, South Korea, and Hong Kong, have been dubbed by the singer the “Born This Way Ball,” repeating her claim that homosexuality is biologically determined.
Protests and disruptions promised by concert’s opponents
According to the Jakarta Globe, at least thirteen Islamic groups have complained to the Jakarta Police about the event, including the militant Islamic Defender’s Front (FPI) and Islamic People’s Forum (FUI). They promise to protest the concert if it goes forward.
The Jakarta Police have publicly stated that they are against permission being granted for the “Born this Way Ball,” although they say that if permission is granted, they will defend the concert with thousands of officers.
The government’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Kemenag Suryadharma Ali, has also told the press that he is opposed to the event.
“Yes, I really have to give a letter of recommendation to the Chief of Police not to give the operating license for the Lady Gaga concert in Jakarta,” said Suryadharma today.
He added that he was not mollified by assurances that the concert would be toned down.
“I still refused, and hope that the rejection was noted by the police,” he said, adding: “The appearance of Lady Gaga still does not fit with the culture and value system adopted by Indonesia.”
Representatives of the Islamic Defender’s Front (FPI) have reportedly set up a Facebook site stating, “We have gotten Lady Gaga tickets, not to watch but for us to enter. Whatever will be will be, we’re ready for the risk.”
“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,” said Salim Alatas, Jakarta head of the Islamic Defender’s Front.
Police have responded by stating that if the event is approved, they will have plainclothes officers in the crowd, ready to counteract any disruptions.
Christians fight Gaga concerts in Philippines, Korea
Officials of the Islamic People’s Forum observe that while Gaga had made similar promises to Philippine authorities to omit objectionable material from her concerts, she has nonetheless offended the religious and moral beliefs of Christians in her recent concerts there.
“Lady Gaga wore the cross on her genitals. Many of her songs are insulting to Christian beliefs. I wonder why we are the ones that are attacked when opposing her,” a FUI spokesman said, according to the Jakarta Globe. “People who oppose it still have a healthy mind to reject a fool industry like this,” he said, adding that “This is clearly exploitation.”
Protests in the Philippines failed to stop Gaga’s two recent concerts in the Manila area, where seventy Evangelicals protested in front of Manila’s City Hall recently, with signs stating “We are not Little Monsters but God’s Soldiers,” in reference to the “Little Monsters” moniker adopted by Gaga fans, according to the AP. Another sign read “We’re Pro-Jesus not Pro-Judas,” in reference to Gaga’s song praising Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus Christ to his murderers.
“Lady Gaga is now the icon of a new religion of defamation of our faith, desecration of everything holy and deception to our young people,” Pastor Benny Abante, a former Philippine Congressman who organized the group, told the AP. He reportedly added that he would file charges against Gaga if she sang “Judas” or the song “Born this Way,” arguing that they insult religious belief and incite young people to sexual immorality.
Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto , who heads the jurisdiction where the concerts were held earlier this week, warned the singer beforehand that “Although we respect artistic and musical expressions, I won’t allow anyone or any group to provide acts which may be questionable in a way at any venue under my jurisdiction.”
“We reminded the producers of Lady Gaga’s concert that the show and the event as a whole shall not exhibit any nudity or lewd conduct which may be offensive to morals and good custom,” he added.
Following the first concert, held Monday, Mayor Calixto admitted that the show had been “provocative,” but defended his decision to permit it.
“Admittedly, some of the statements and choreography were provocative but the content and presentation taken all together can be considered as part of an artist’s expressions,” he said.
Similarly, in Korea, the Association of Church Communication said in March that it would carry out a “concerted action to stop young people from being infected with homosexuality and pornography” during Gaga’s Seoul concert.
Authorities allowed the concert to proceed at that time, but with a restriction that those under the age of 18 were not to be admitted.