Mashrou' Leila: Jordan bans Lebanese rock band with gay singer

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

 

A Lebanese rock band says it has been banned in Jordan because its music supports religious and sexual freedom.

For context:

Mashrou' Leila is arguably the most ground-breaking band in the Middle East at the moment, shaking up a once conservative music scene.

With an openly gay lead singer, a fresh, passionate, eclectic sound, and provocative lyrics, the Lebanese alternative rock outfit is not afraid to tackle sexual, social and political taboos.

The five band members, all ex-students at Beirut's American University, came together in 2008, and have amassed an impressive following across the region.

They are resolutely independent, crowd-funding their albums, and remain outside the mainstream music business.

For the BBC's Middle East Beats series, they perform Skandar Malouf, a satirical take on homophobic attitudes.

 

 

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Mashrou' Leila was to play in the Roman amphitheatre in Amman on Friday, but the concert was cancelled on Tuesday.

The band said the official explanation was that its music was at odds with the "authenticity" of the site, despite having performed there three times.

Mashrou' Leila's lead singer is openly gay - and the band tackles taboos that few other Arab musicians have explored.

The five band members, all former students at the American University of Beirut, came together in 2008 and have amassed a large following across the region.

'Political pressure'

In a post on its Facebook page, Mashrou' Leila announced that it would not be able to play at Amman's amphitheater this week as scheduled, citing the organizers as saying the "performance would have been at odds with what the ministry of tourism viewed as the 'authenticity' of the site".

"Informally, the story is much more problematic. We have been unofficially informed that the reason behind this sudden change of heart, few days before the concert day, is the intervention of some authorities," the band added.

"Our understanding is that said authorities have pressured certain political figures and triggered a chain of events that ultimately ended with our authorization being withdrawn."

"We also have been unofficially informed that we will never be allowed to play again anywhere in Jordan due to our political and religious beliefs and endorsement of gender equality and sexual freedom."

Amman governor Khalid Abu Zeid told the Associated Press on Wednesday that the group had been banned because its songs "contradicted" religious beliefs, and not because its music went against the amphitheater's historic ambiance.

Mashrou' Leila denounced what it called the "systemic prosecution" of voices of political dissent and of advocates of sexual and religious freedom, and the censorship of artists.

But the band also asked the Jordanian government to "reconsider its stance".

Jordan is one of the Arab world's most liberal countries.

The constitution stipulates that Islam is the religion of the state, but provides for freedom to practice one's religion in accordance with local customs unless this violates public order or morality.

While homosexuality is not illegal, societal discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is prevalent and they are targets of abuse, according to the US.

From BBC news.

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Update: Ban Lifted But Too It Is Too Late

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/29/jordan-lifts-ban-on-controversial-rock-group-mashrou-leila

[LetsGetHigh 52,683]

The leader singer is gay? I don't think that was "openly" known. Even Lebanon will drop their music asap once they know that.

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

Just now, LetsGetHigh said:

The leader singer is gay? I don't think that was "openly" known. Even Lebanon will drop their music asap once they know that.

... Everyone in Lebanon knows and nobody cares.

[LetsGetHigh 52,683]

Just now, LebaneseDude said:

... Everyone in Lebanon knows and nobody cares.

...Not. My friend a week ago was talking to me about them and she didn't mention anything about the lead singer being gay, and she's a huge homophobe. I think if she knew, she would have boycotted listening to them already.

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

5 minutes ago, LetsGetHigh said:

...Not. My friend a week ago was talking to me about them and she didn't mention anything about the lead singer being gay, and she's a huge homophobe. I think if she knew, she would have boycotted listening to them already.

You're using one example with one friend? :P

People like to be selective in their homophobia. She probably overlooks it because she likes them.

It's literally everywhere in their songs  

Anyway this is irrelevant. There many high profile LGBT people in the media and none of them are harassed.

The issue people are fine with them (let them live their own life), but don't like to being part of their home. That's the root of Lebanese homophobia. The good news is that the more people come out the more tolerant and even accepting people are being. My coming out alone made my entire 40-member family much less homophobic.

[Michel Najem 316]

26 minutes ago, LetsGetHigh said:

The leader singer is gay? I don't think that was "openly" known. Even Lebanon will drop their music asap once they know that.

Everybody knows that here. 

[Michel Najem 316]

22 minutes ago, LetsGetHigh said:

...Not. My friend a week ago was talking to me about them and she didn't mention anything about the lead singer being gay, and she's a huge homophobe. I think if she knew, she would have boycotted listening to them already.

He opnly singa abojt guys 

[littlepotter 76,610]

Calm ur titz lesbianeses nobody cares except u 

 

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

Just now, littlepotter said:

Calm ur titz lesbianeses nobody cares except u 

Should I have forged a Trump statement about it to invoke collective sensationalism?

[lego 44,165]

 

 

 

 

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

I wonder how many people here think I'm a trans lesbian.

[littlepotter 76,610]

4 minutes ago, LebaneseDude said:

Should I have forged a Trump statement about it to invoke collective sensationalism?

Eh

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

Post stuff other than US or European politics -> barely blips on GGD's radar  

[Melech 9,900]

3 hours ago, LebaneseDude said:

I wonder how many people here think I'm a trans lesbian.

Always thought that. 

 

On topic: this horrible. I know that band and like their music which makes it even more horrible to see they are banned in jordan. And Jordan always Acts so tolerant 

[LebaneseDude 6,146]

4 minutes ago, Simon said:

Always thought that. 

lol

4 minutes ago, Simon said:

On topic: this horrible. I know that band and like their music which makes it even more horrible to see they are banned in jordan. And Jordan always Acts so tolerant 

Well it's not the Jordanian government really.

It was some protesting from religious practitioners that influenced the decision.

Still people doubt there will be formal interference because the government doesn't really care. That's what is disappointing, especially when they claim more tolerant stances.