Badu concert cancelled because of tattoo

Soul singer Erykah Badu said she holds no grudge against Malaysia’s government for barring her from performing after a photograph of her body art offended some Muslims.

More than 1 500 people had bought tickets to watch the Grammy-winning singer in Kuala Lumpur auditorium, but Malaysia’s information minister announced on the eve of the concert that it could not proceed because a promotional photo of Badu with the Arabic word for Allah painted on her bare shoulders was “an insult to Islam.”

“It’s sad, because we traveled a long way,” Badu told a news conference. “But I’m totally understanding of (the minister’s) protection of the laws and its people. He doesn’t want anything to happen. I’m good with that.”

The photograph ignited criticism from some politicians and religious groups in Muslim-majority Malaysia after a newspaper published it Monday in a feature to promote Badu’s show. The daily has since apologised for what it called an “oversight” that led to the photo’s publication.

Badu, 41, said the photo was inspired by images from “The Holy Mountain,” a 1973 surrealist movie by Chilean-French filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky.

“I think art is often misunderstood in the realm of religion, and it’s OK,” she said. “In America, it’s a lot different. I am learning and understanding about Islam in other countries more as we travel.”

Information Minister Rais Yatim said Malaysia’s Cabinet endorsed the ban Wednesday.—AP