State Minister for Islamic Affairs Sheikh Ahmed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said the ministry has received “many complaints” from people concerned about the upcoming Akon concert, which is to be held in the Maldives on 23 April.
”We have received many phone calls and complaints from people asking why we are doing nothing when a person who sings explicit lyrics is about to perform in the country,” Shaheem said.
”Our opinion is that we do not like explicit singers to perform in the country.”
He explained that scholars agreed that singing was allowed under the tenets of Islam, ”but with a good level of discipline.”
Akon is no stranger to religious controversy, after he was denied a visa to Sri Lanka by the country’s authorities because of a video clip in which he dances around a Buddha statue with scantily-clad women.
Press Secretary for the President Mohamed Zuhair said the government had no valid reason to reject Akon from performing in the Maldives.
Zuhair said if the Islamic ministry had any issues against it, “they can either send a letter or speak about it in the cabinet meeting.”
”It would be very unfair to say that Akon might do this or that before he actually does it,” Zuhair said.
He said a private company had spent a large amount of money investing in the performance in the Maldives, and that many Maldivian companies were also involved in the event.
Zuhair has previously stated that President Mohamed Nasheed is keen to attend the concert, which the government hopes will lead to further performances in the Maldives.
Event Manager in the Maldives for Akon concert Fathmath Raufa said the organisers were “fully confident” that nothing against the tenets of Islam would take place during the event.
”Our main purpose is to promote our country and to introduce entertainment tourism to the Maldives,” she said. ”This is like any other show held in Male’.”
She said there was no reason to stop this event, and noted that Akon and both his parents were Muslim.
Islamic NGO Jamiyathul Salaf did not respond to Minivan News at time of press.
From Akon’s song ‘Senegal’:
‘So what you know about how God comes first in our lives, everything that we do is for Allah
So what you know about that Holy place called Touba where Prophets were born
So what you know about comin’ here, gettin money and investing it back home.”
From Akon’s song ‘Bartender’:
” Don’t smoke, don’t drink, that’s why I don’t be by the bar, baby
Just lookin’ at you from a distance, lookin’ like a goddamn star, baby
So my girl don’t see me, T-Pain, can I get those keys to the car?
‘Bout to go and bang bang boogie with my cutie and I’ll see you tomar’.”
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Shaheen, two words: get lost
Ahmed Nazeer:
Are you trying to fool us, by quoting a few lyrics of Akon's songs. Lets look at the following song by sexist Akon; Bananza
From Akon's song, "Belly Dancer" (Bananza)
Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza
Shake ya body like a belly dancer
Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza (hey girl)
Shake ya body like a belly dancer
Yo, excuse me, beg your pardon girl
Do you have any idea what you starting girl
You got me tingiling, come to me mingiling
Steppin off lookin bootylicious and jingiling
When you walk, I see you baby girl
When you talk, I believe it baby girl
I like that, thick-petite n’ pretty
Little touch is a ditty
Love to work the kitty like purrrrrrr
She loves to stirr it up purrrrrr
I can hear her purring up
Cause shes the type that’ll get arousy of
Get you excited and call her boyfriend up (ohh)
What’s the man without the plan B
We can meet up at the hutter house for the tiki
So stand by like a butty pass
While I watch this beautiful thing shake that ass
Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza
Shake ya body like a belly dancer
Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza
Shake ya body like a belly dancer
Girl I must say you the flyest thang in here
So hot I gon’ need some rain in here
Type to make ex-gangstas bang in here
Girl you could do anything you want in here
Clown if you want to, frown if you want to
You ain’t even gotta drop down if you want to
Cause I’d rather see you shake it standin
Either way you do it girl you look outstandin (uhhuuuhh)
And now you got me spending (uhhuuhhh)
The way you got that body bendin (uhhhuhh)
Ass like that girl you gotta be kickin
And we goin to church next day repentent
Lap dancing for my FA crew
Slide it ova to boo cause he want some too
Up in the VIP with no fee
Blessing you with the G even tho we gettin it free so
Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza
Shake ya body like a belly dancer
Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza
Shake ya body like a belly dancer
Girl shake ya body body
With somebody body
Whatever you do don’t break your body body
After the party party
Grab a hottie hottie
In the back seat of your Maserati-ratti
Jiggle jiggle it to the left (ah ah ah)
Jiggle jiggle it to the right (ah ah ah)
Jiggle it to the front then jiggle it to the back
And jiggle jiggle it all all night (ah ah ah)
Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza
Shake ya body like a belly dancer
Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza
Shake ya body like a belly dancer
Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza
Shake ya body like a belly dancer
Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza
Shake ya body like a belly dancer
I think as long as Akon respects the tenets of Islam and does not use any foul language or promote drinking, there should be no problem. But ofcourse yes many do even tell me that they are concerned since R&B lyrics are very X-rated to begin with. Maybe he can leave out the songs which has these things and sing the others since there are many songs he has done.
Islamic Ministry should ask people to send official letters to complain, so that their concerns to the cabinet or anyone can be made with some evidence as there are some in the government that obviously would just like to point fingers at Adhaalath Party and say things like "look we told you they are extremists, etc". But with evidence, it could atleast silence them to some extend to which they cant just claim things without their own facts.
I would like to see Anni attend Dr.Zakir Naik's speach also when he is in Maldives and especially wait for his Questions and Answers time which is well known to those who listen to him. That would be a fair suggestion, instead of the President just going for the Akon concert and not the religious peach by one of the most famous speakers in the world at the moment.
Also I think it is good to point out that many of the biggest R&B Singers from Harlem World to Bone Thugs & Harmony have many of their members who converted to Islam and are now devoted Muslims.
Im sure most R&B people who love Puff Daddy would know his close home boy Loon from Bad Boyz Records. He is also now a Muslim convert with the grace of Allah (swt):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yoi0mU4hTB4
So in the end it is up to Allah (swt) who He guides, when He guides them or if He will ever guide them. In the meantime, Muslims should encourage each other to spread Islam and encourage good things in society in order for future elections where they can vote for honest and God fearing people. Maldivians have a chance to do their part for their country to raise the words of Allah (swt), so each should do their part and expect a just reward from our Creator and the Creator of universe.
these Islamic ministry guys who portray themselves as moderates are masked extremists who want to turn this country into a nest of extreme fanatics using government assets. I call them to resign and Anni to fulfill his pledges of annedhivei raaje..with ice cream and happy life and free life.
Lets make this simple. Why dont Shaheem and his followers leave Maldives and go to a cave in Afghanistan. I am sure his friends will welcome his with open arms. We Maldivians have been living peacefully for a long time, until these Mullahs started preaching modified versions of Islam.
I think Islam ministries agenda of making Maldives an Afghanistan in now way far from to much than we can tolerate. We should stand up against them as one or this country will go with the wind and be destroyed by extreme Islamists.
i support leen. We should rise against them. Just like maumoons tyranny. We should rise and eradicate the extreme islamists
"Akon simulates sex with a young fan".. this was the headline when this idiot akon visit a country ..
"young female fan a special treat during a Trinidad show at Club Zen. Unimaginative simulated sex. The rapper, best known for his song “Smack That”, dry humped the girl every which way on stage"
she was an undergage girls .. i hope this is something minivannews ought to know, and if you guys are in media .. you should be aware of that .. im not commenting about islamic ministry .. for further ... http://theblemish.com/2007/04/akon-simulates-sex-with-a-young-fan/
im not a fan of Akon, but at least he is not selling religion like Naik. Both are performers and very successful businessmen. one has taken upon religion as the source of income and the other music.
We actually need something alive here in these dead islands.
What the hell is wrong with Seyk Shaheem and his Band of Wahhabis? If people don't want to go to Akon's Concert, then freaking stay home. Anybody who wants to go to Dr.Naiks or Mulla Omar's Speech, please by all means go. There are different types of people who have different types of interests and tastes in this country. Everybody cannot be forced to be like Seyk Fareed or Ali Rameez. The Religious groups are free to bombard the naive Maldivians about their Wahhabi religious brainwashing, and they are doing a pretty good job. So the people who wants music and entertainment should also have the same freedom. Bringing a musician to do a show in this country does not mean that it is about Christianizing or De-Islaming Maldives. Why does everything in this country suddenly have to be associated with religion? We can't allow this So called Islamic Ministry and Salafi Wahhabis to take control of our lives. Democracy is for everyone, not just for the Mulla's to abuse. Wake up people, before its too late.
Shaheem what the heck is wrong with you. You and your fellows can bring any scholar you want, are we complaining against it?
So keep your nose out of our business too. You dont speak for all Maldivians! and you never will!!
this guy (and most rappers in general) are famous for degrading women reducing them to nothing but objects of sex in their songs and videos. i don't see much difference between them and the taliban regarding their impact on women.
”It would be very unfair to say that Akon might do this or that before he actually does it,” Zuhair said.
i guess it depends on what moral values you want your citizens to uphold mr. zuhair. he was denied entry to sri lanka wasn't he? snoop dog was denied entry to britain and australia and he didn't do any harm there...mr. zuhair would think that is so unfair, of course.
"He doesn't seem the sort of bloke we want in this country," Andrews told Sydney's Macquarie Radio.
that is immigration minister kevin andrews from australia...our children deserve better role models!
What a precedence...
May ALLAH u all for disrespecting islam .go rot yourselves in hell .u can laugh at us today but surely will come a day in which we will laugh at u pppl.GO SHAHEEM
MAY ALLAH CURSE YOU.U CALL US EXTREMIST BUT I GUESS YOU ARE THE ONES.YOU KNOW THAT AKON MOLESTED A FOURTEEN YEAR OLD GAL.BUT STILL U THINK IT IS OK.WELL WELL WHERE IS YOUR NOW SO CALLED RIGHTS OF WOMEN RESPECTING WOMEN.THINK TWICE AND AGAIN
If Akon's concert is banned, stopped, or even protested against that will significantly hurt the future reputation of our country.
If the Islamic Ministry starts to make moves against bringing world famous singers to Maldives, I can promise you there will be significant repercussions in the moderate and liberal community. People will finally mobilize against fanatics and our nation will even be polarized further.
I wonder if the people involved in the feminist movement will go see this concert. My guess is they will. Since its not really about feminism, but westernizing. Mostly their dissatisfaction is over the restrictions for women in Islam. They have not voiced any dissatisfaction over Akons mollestation of a 14 year old girl live on stage. Maybe they would prefer the same services by Akon on them. Hah! So much for feminism.
well this guy akon was rejected from a more democratic country and multicultural in many ways sri lanka .. for his disrespect for religions and also his disgusting behaviour, we the 100% muslim label government is allowing this guy to this country by slapping majority of sri lankans faith, this isn't an issue about islamic ministry this is our government's narrow thinking in many ways, and also akons recent Trinidad show he simulates sex with a young 14 year old girl on stage, but the guys who commenting here doesn't find it child abuse or his indecent behaviour.. why is this double standard ??? what kinda democracy are you guys searching for FREE to Anything? where do you draw the lines? what's ethics and morality?
This is the kind of attitude that has led to our youth take to drugs and alcohol. They have no form of entertainment and nothing to do!
How about the Islamic Ministry organising some form of 'Halal Entertainment'? What the hell are we supposed to do? These people are trying to destroy the country. Unlike Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States, we don't have oil gushing out of a desert to feed us whilst the Mullahs keep the population under wrap. Get a life Mullahs and leave us alone, will ye?
I object to this Zakir guy being brought to Male'.How about that? And i object to bilal philips trying to promote pedophelia in the Maldives, while saying its only that when europeans play around with young kids, when muslims does it its pure.
The islam i know does not promote it, so any speaker that speaks of such bullshit should not be allowed in the Maldives. So first they can ban those guys then go on to Akon.
And hey i didn't know his parents were muslim.
Islamic ministry should keep their nose in their own affairs, or if going for a mass cleanup , clean their backyard first. Maldives is going to be Maldives.
Senegalis are very different type of muslims like Turkish. They are not like Maldivians, Afghanistanis or Pakeys or Sauddas. Senegalis are very moderate and peace loving people who love peace more than hatred and oppression. Although they are poor, they are very peaceful with Christians, Jews, etc.As I know, Shaheem will one day destroy our tourism industry too. He had repeatedly said that the Maldivian tourism industry is against Islam and it should be stopped and diverted into another form of tourism called Islamic tourism. If this works better for all Maldivians, fine, we can go ahead with it. "Pardon me if I am wrong."
Many singers – even of soothing love songs – use explicit lyrics. The target audience of that is usually a mature people who can decipher the poetry in it. Then singers (even the most crude gangster rappers) have radio versions of their songs. Akon, being a Muslim himself, like a majority of Senegalese, would tailor his concert to Maldives’ context. He could play the radio versions of all the songs that may be judged by some as ‘dirty’. Music is poetry, if you don’t get it don’t call it dirty. There is a lot of imagery in it – and that’s what some call explicit. Get the message, not the words used. Someone could reply to this comment by telling me to ‘ef off’, which simply means ‘go away’ or ‘go to hell’. Anyway, what should be of concern to the ministry would be for authorities to task the organizers to ensure that those allowed in for the concerts are of a certain age, such as 18 and above. They should also hold the organizers accountable for anything that Akon does that goes against Islamic tenets. You cannot second guess him before he has performed. There are many ‘good’ and ‘clean’ songs he’s sung that probably some have never heard. By the way, how did they get to know he sings ‘dirty’ music if they didn’t listen to it?
I'm laughing hard at the double standards of these haabees as they decry Akon. They call him a pedophile, but the call for legalizing underage marriage, citing Islamic law.
SOMEONE'S REAL JEALOUS. 😀
I love how they always say "many" complaints yet never give numbers.
What's many? 5? 25? A thousand?
They should take a national poll and end this once and for all.
The options would be:
a) Yes, I would like to go to an Akon concert
b) What's an "Akon" ?
c) Maybe, I hate that kind of music but I might go anyways so I can say I went to see an Akon concert
d) No, he is somehow more offensive than the Hindi movies/music videos we usually watch on TV 24/7
Akon can perform if all but d gets the majority xD
They should bring Metallica next. Just market it as a paid vacation in paradise. I bet you could get anyone to come here if you pitched it right.
Looking forward to seeing youtube vids of our President getting jiggy with it. He'd better dance better than Obama if he expects to keep his title.
I’m laughing hard at the double standards of these haabees as they decry Akon. They call him a pedophile, but they then turn around and call for legalizing underage marriage, citing Islamic law.
SOMEONE’S REAL JEALOUS OF A NON ARAB GETTIN' DA WIMMINZ. 😀
There is nothing short of a cold-war taking place between the moderates and the radicals of the country - and this is the first offensive of the moderates.
Do not back down fellow moderate soldiers - lets take the fight to the bearded ignorant medieval fools trying to take over the country!! So my advice is to bling it up in your best outfits and go out loud, proud and your middle finger raised visibly at those who want to take our country to the bedouin deserts of Arabia!!!
We shud arrange all mullas to go to a big island and live as they want. No money from tourism o anything. just cultivating and goat milking and live their life. BUT they wont do it. They do want money!!!. these mullas are such hypocrites.
Ahmed Anony on Tue, 13th Apr 2010 8:48 AM ----i agree with u 1000% on this. Calling him a peadophile. what about the little 9 year old jaariyas these perverts are "allowed" to have. again--HYPOCRITES!!!.
Pls don't egg the President on to dance...
egon: They also want to allow marriage to little girls who have just undergone puberty, saying that it is divine law.
Then they make fools out of themselves in front of the President by claiming that it is modern conditions and education that slowed down maturing.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100408/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen_child_bride
egon: They also want to allow marriage to little girls who have just undergone puberty, saying that it is divine law.
Then they make fools out of themselves in front of the President by rattling off a list of medivial european/other customs that incorporate child marriages and claiming that it is modern conditions and education that slowed down maturing.
One question: If other people engage in immoral acts, why should we?. If a man deals drugs, should we engage in drug dealing?.
And last but not least: some food for thought: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100408/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen_child_bride
Poor poor Akon, he got chased away from lanka by the buddhists and now the Wahhaabees in Maldives want to do the same.
Is everyone missing the fact that this is art and music. Give it a break islamic ministry party poopers!!
acorn is Dhajjaaal!!! dont let him come to the Islamic Maldives. if he does it is Jahannum and Qiyaamaah for us all!
next the islamic fascists will ban music alltogether. then ban shaving, and veil all the womenfolk. then we'll be going from island to island on the back of a camel
Shareef, that was beyond pathetic. You're serving to make a laughingstock out of Islam more than 10,000 Akons all at once ever could.
Every "enemy of Islam" you paint as a Dhajjaal or something. You lot are like children. Stubborn, stupid and arrogant children. Where's George W Bush (also given the name Dhajjaal) now?.
Basically what you are telling us is that if we don't agree with you, it's the end of the world. And THAT is the epitome of unwarranted self importance.
PS: If you're a true muslim, why are you sounding like you're AFRAID of the last day?.
I think Anni must make Maumoon as Minister for Islamic Affairs.
such is the condition our country is in today. even the slightest disagreement or difference of opinion calls for extreme ections for all concerned. pity the state we are in today.
To (shareef)
wow. chill mate. we have been performing like Akon and other Bands. Hey portugues ruled this country for 17 yrs. and yet they could not changed our thinking and Faith. you know why? Cos' we maldivians are more educated than that. it will take another 8 centuries to wipe off islam from these islands. God knows how you have been living. and belive me it's not like that. Akon concert is not a christian propagenda programme. May be you think by doing this he wont come. dont worry mate, that aint gona happen
I’m laughing hard at the double standards of these peopls...look at this USA Swimming Coaches Molested, Secretly Taped Dozens of Teen Swimmers
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/abc-news-investigation-usa-swimming-coaches-raped-molested/story?id=10322469
iam also laughing.. They also want to allow abuse to little girls and boys too... Catholic Church in Norway is in shock after it was revealed that former bishop Mueller of Trondheim (on Norway's western coast) admitted being guilty of sexual abuse of a minor," the Church said in a statement
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100407/twl-catholic-church-child-abuse-scandal-4bdc673.html
v sad news for our poor poor fance Check It Out.
Brother Napoleon from the OutLawz Embraced Islam.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYcJPyHITM4
Brother LOON Former Rap Artist embraced Islam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhLWOXKlHys
Brother Jay-z Freeway rapper takes to Islam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCopLvtI8z4
To know the Reason Watch these three videos...Inspiring Masha Allah.
Questionable here is not religion. It unfortunately is POLITICS!
When Akon and other artists (who in future are expected to visit as it is said) become "acorns"; "it" would be the problem!
A majority of past three generations live on other people's money! They hardly earn any to fend for themselves. Instead are on the lookout for the snatch of something they can lay their hands on. Not even sparing the rufiya their moms keep hidden for a rainy day!
For the rich, very rich this visit would be "cool:!
For the artists, organizers and the shop owners (who would sell replicas of the original artifacts these artists use at skyrocketing prices), it would be bonanza!
But for the commoner and the poor??????
Akon should sing Madhahaas.
Entertainment is UnIslamic. Period.
Islam is a way of life...and evrything... does not separate religion from state.......
Why can't all thubulhi come and sing " my beard is longer than yours and my trouser is shorter than yours and I have more Jariyas than yours, but I have no money, please feed me"
I do agree with Mohamed on the fact that mainly the well off and the rich are fans of Akon in Maldives. Every ordinary people really care more about simple life and having an education for their kids. Investment can be brought in many ways, not just singers. Maldives has lived without it and can still live without it if needed. We are not a begging nation to the West. Only reason we are in a bad economy crises is due to the previous government stealing all the money and justice not served because of corrupt judges. Otherwise, every local Maldivian would really have a lot more today compared to other Asian countries.
Many have given negative comments about Islam and scholars without having studied Islam properly. If a child who has not studied a subject in depth had come and tried to tell off any of these people, they would laugh at the child or to be polite ignore it totally knowing that the child has no Islamic background. This would apply to adults too since logic of knowledge is universal. I would love to see some sources of reference from these critics.
i hope the Mullaz protest and show there no.s and next day the freedom lovers go out and present there numbers to politicians and this is all over. The mullaz will be out numbered this time and will carry no voice after this battle is won by the freedom lovers. WE DON"T WANT MALDIVES TO BE AFGANISTHAN...WE WANT A FREE AND OPEN MALDIVES>>SAY NO TO MULLAZ AND THEIR PROPAGANDA TO A BUILD TYRANT STATE
I, as a woman, am not pleased about a man who is very blatantly sexist coming and performing in my home country. Moreover, I do not like his music or support him as an artist.
So, I am not going to go and see him perform. I think this will convey my disgust towards him satisfactorily. You won't see me rallying forces to protest against it.
I am aware that Akon has many fans, and am glad that he will have a good audience.
Maybe someday, a true artist might come whom I would really want to see, but some of you may not.
In short, I don't want to burden others with my issues. Those who admire him and like his music should go to his concert. Those who have a problem with it, just find your own thing to do that night.
Simple as that!
whats the islamic ministry trying to do make us mullas??
Use common sense - the taste of music is just as diverse as people are. There are three events in one month - Boney M for the 80s generation, Akon for the youth and Naik for the more religious inspired ones. All three are entertainers in their own way. Attend - or stay at home! Isn't it our own choice? Do the beardos think they can rule our taste for entertainment as well?