Erykah Badu Alleged Allah Tattoo Photos Prompt Malaysia Controversy
LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Erykah Badu alleged Allah tattoo photos in The Star newspaper have prompted a Malaysia concert controversy. Erykah Badu appears with alleged Allah tattoos on her body in The Star newspaper, claim Malaysia officials. As a result, they have ordered a cancellation of Badu’s local concert.
Erykah Badu has yet to comment about the matter. The Star nor the singer would confirm that the alleged body art features real tattoos or temporary. Malaysian officials contend they are permanent tattoos. They are unhappy with words depicted that they claim are written in two different languages. They also claim one word reads “Allah”. The tattoo is located HERE.
The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry tells news that they were not informed of the alleged tattoos when they approved the concert. But after Badu appeared in the Star newspaper with the body art, officials cancelled the concert.
Information Minister Rais Yatim tells news that officials believe the body art featurs permanent tattoos and that the word Allah is depicted. Yatim says the government upon seeing the newspaper cancelled the concert, calling the body art a “serious offense”. Officials also added that Badu’s art “triggered public criticism that could jeopardize national security and cause a negative impact to the government’s image”.”
Badu is currently in the country. But she has yet to comment about the matter. The paper would comment about the details of the allegations but did issue an apology. “We deeply regret any offence caused to Muslims and sincerely apologise for the oversight.”
Officials tell news that Badu, originally from Dallas, is in the country legally as a tourist but may not perform. Officials would not detail to news what will happen to ticket holders. As many as three thousand tickets were sold. Some local officials are asking for the newspaper to be fined.
