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Gay News: A controversial performance by Elton John has passed without incident in the Moroccan capital of Rabat
By: Nigel Robinson
"Famous for homosexual behaviour"
"Famous for homosexual behaviour"
No riots at Elton concert in Morocco
There were fears that Sir Elton would be the target of anti-gay Islamic conservatives, and thousands of police and plainclothes officers had been drafted in to prevent any trouble, at the free Mawazine Festival which was attended by 50,000 people.
Mustapha Ramid, a leader and spokesman for the PJD political party said that the singer was a bad example for Moroccan youth and told the Associated Press:
“This singer is famous for his homosexual behaviour and for advocating it.
“We're a rather open party, but promoting homosexuality is completely unacceptable."
The week-long Festival, which also features Mila and Sting, was organised to promote cultural diversity and openness, and is being seen as an attempt to modernise the North African country.
Although homosexual acts are illegal in Morocco, the country does have a long history of tolerance towards homosexuality, as well as other proscribed practices such as drinking alcohol.
Last month, Morocco's first gay magazine Mithly was published and described Sir Elton’s concert as a major event.
