Malaysia cancels Erykah Badu show over 'Allah tattoos'
Malaysia has cancelled a concert by US singer Erykah Badu after a publicity photo showed her with the Arabic word for "Allah" tattooed on her upper body.
Officials say the photo of Ms Badu in The Star newspaper was "an insult to Islam". The paper has apologised.
The Grammy-award winner was due to perform on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur and is said to be dismayed at the news.
Muslim-majority Malaysia has previously warned other international artists to dress modestly for their concerts.
Tattoos are forbidden in Islam and using the word "Allah" in a way deemed disrespectful offends many Muslims.
'Serious offence' The photo of Ms Badu with several words in Arabic and Hebrew written on her body features prominently on her official fan site. It is not clear whether Ms Badu's body art is permanent.
The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry says it was not aware of the tattoos when it initially approved the concert, the BBC's Jennifer Pak in Kuala Lumpur reports. Some Muslims began protesting after The Star published the photo.
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Malaysia has cancelled a concert by US singer Erykah Badu after a publicity photo showed her with the Arabic word for "Allah" tattooed on her upper body.
Officials say the photo of Ms Badu in The Star newspaper was "an insult to Islam". The paper has apologised.
The Grammy-award winner was due to perform on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur and is said to be dismayed at the news.
Muslim-majority Malaysia has previously warned other international artists to dress modestly for their concerts.
Tattoos are forbidden in Islam and using the word "Allah" in a way deemed disrespectful offends many Muslims.
'Serious offence' The photo of Ms Badu with several words in Arabic and Hebrew written on her body features prominently on her official fan site. It is not clear whether Ms Badu's body art is permanent.
The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry says it was not aware of the tattoos when it initially approved the concert, the BBC's Jennifer Pak in Kuala Lumpur reports. Some Muslims began protesting after The Star published the photo.
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