JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Dozens of conservative Muslims marched within the Indonesian capital on Friday, demanding that an upcoming Coldplay live performance be canceled due to the British band’s assist for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
Coldplay is understood for incorporating its values into their performances, such because the band’s pursuit of environmental sustainability. Lead singer Chris Martin has been identified to put on rainbow colours and wave homosexual pleasure flags throughout reveals.
The Asian leg of Coldplay’s “Music Of The Spheres World Tour” features a live performance on November 15 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. Greater than 70,000 tickets have been bought in lower than two hours when gross sales opened in Might.
Jakarta is likely one of the finest stay streaming hubs for the band with 1.6 million followers within the metropolis.
Indonesian Muslims chant slogans as they take part in a protest in entrance of police headquarters in Jakarta on November 10, 2023 to demand the cancellation of the upcoming November 15 live performance by British rock band Coldplay, which protesters say helps homosexual rights, which is towards Muslim teachings. (Picture by Bai Ismoyo/AFP) (Picture by Bay Ismoyo/AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
Critics say Coldplay’s present is suggestive, and that the band’s assist for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood threatens to undermine Indonesia’s ethical cloth and corrupt its youth.
Practically 100 demonstrators, many carrying placards and placards, crammed a primary street in Jakarta after Friday prayers.
The demonstrators – organized by the Muslim Brotherhood alumni group 212, whose identify refers back to the large protests that broke out on December 2, 2016 towards polarizing Christian politician Basuki Tjahaja Purnama – chanted “Allahu Akbar” and “We reject Coldplay” as they marched to the British Embassy in Jakarta. It’s closely guarded.
“We’re right here to guard our younger era on this nation from efforts that may corrupt the youth,” mentioned Heri Susanto, a protester from town of Bandung in West Java. “As Indonesian Muslims, we should always reject Coldplay’s live performance.”
Novel Pamukmin, the protest coordinator, gave a speech criticizing the federal government for permitting the band to carry a live performance in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation. He mentioned that if the live performance was not cancelled, hundreds of demonstrators would confront the band on its means from the airport.
“Coldplay have at all times been a powerful supporter of the LGBT neighborhood and their lead singer is an atheist. We should always reject their marketing campaign and their live performance right here,” Bamukmin mentioned, standing on high of a truck.
Indonesian Muslims participate in a protest in entrance of police headquarters in Jakarta on November 10, 2023 to demand the cancellation of the upcoming November 15 live performance by British rock band Coldplay, which protesters say helps homosexual rights, which battle with Islamic doctrines. (Picture by Bai Ismoyo/AFP) (Picture by Bay Ismoyo/AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
Martin mentioned he’s a “theist,” a time period that describes broad non secular beliefs that aren’t attributed to any particular faith.
Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Artistic Economic system Sandiaja Uno assured Coldplay followers that there could be no interruption to the live performance.
“We’ll make certain there are not any threats coming from any group,” Ono mentioned final Might, including that he would clarify to anybody attempting to cease the present that the live performance would assist stimulate the nation’s financial system, which has suffered for the reason that outbreak of the Corona virus. Epidemic.
The Indonesian Ulema Council, the nation’s most influential Islamic physique, requested the present’s promoters, PK Leisure, to make sure there are not any LGBTQ-themed acts or messages throughout Wednesday’s live performance.
PK Leisure, which was based in 2015, has succeeded in bringing plenty of worldwide musicians reminiscent of Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, The Backstreet Boys and Justin Bieber to Indonesia. The corporate and one in all its founders, Peter Hargany, couldn’t be reached for remark.
On Friday, the corporate revealed on its web site and social media platforms common info for Coldplay followers, reminiscent of easy methods to receive digital tickets earlier than the live performance.
Though Indonesia is a secular nation with an extended historical past of spiritual tolerance, there’s a small extremist group that has change into extra vocal lately.
Girl Gaga canceled her sold-out live performance in Indonesia in 2012 as a consequence of safety considerations after Muslim militants threatened violence if the pop star continued together with her “Born This Means Ball” live performance.
British pop rock band The 1975 have canceled reveals in Jakarta and Taipei after the Malaysian authorities reduce brief a music pageant within the wake of the band’s lead singer criticizing the nation’s anti-gay legal guidelines and kissing a bandmate throughout their efficiency.
