Nicki Minaj cancels Saudi concert over women’s rights concerns


PTI, Jul 10, 2019, 10:04 AM IST

Los Angeles: Nicki Minaj has cancelled a performance in Saudi Arabia in a show of support for women’s and gay rights in the ultra-conservative kingdom, the US rapper said Tuesday.

Minaj’s scheduled appearance in the western city of Jeddah next week as part of a cultural festival had triggered a social media backlash over human rights in the country.

“After careful reflection I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest,” Minaj said in a statement sent to AFP by her publicist.

“While I want nothing more than to bring my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, after better educating myself on the issues, I believe it is important for me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression.”

Minaj, known for her profanity-laced lyrics and raunchy music videos, was due to perform as headline act of the festival — to be televised globally on MTV — as the kingdom loosens its decades-old restrictions on entertainment Others scheduled to perform include British musician Liam Payne and American DJ Steve Aoki.

The New York-based Human Rights Foundation on Friday wrote Minaj an open letter urging her to withdraw from the festival, calling on her to “refuse the regime’s money” and use her global influence to demand the release of jailed Saudi women activists.

Amnesty International have described the Saudi human rights record as “abysmal,” adding that the nation is in the “grip of a sweeping crackdown against critics of the government.” The festival in Saudi Arabia, which forbids alcohol and has a strict social code, comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pursues a sweeping liberalization drive that has led to new cinemas, concerts and sporting extravaganzas.

The reform is seen by some as an attempt to blunt public frustration over an economic downturn and high youth unemployment.

Saudi Arabia is also moving to boost domestic spending on entertainment and tourism, as the kingdom has reeled from low oil prices. While Saudi Arabia is yet to offer tourist visas, the country has fast-tracked electronic permits for international visitors to attend such festivals to further boost revenue.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Fishing vessel collides with naval platform off Goa coast; 2 fishermen missing

‘Nation First’ key to India’s progress, says President Murmu

Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra slams Cong govt over Waqf notices to farmers, fund crunch

Man declared dead wakes up before cremation, 3 doctors suspended in Rajasthan

Teen stabs man to death at railway station in Mumbai after quarrel over local train seat

BJP stages protest against Karnataka govt over Waqf properties row

Youth attempts suicide after being humiliated in public for wearing ripped jeans in Belthangady

Related Articles More

Aryan Khan to debut as director with Netflix series in 2025, SRK welcomes son to showbiz

AR Rahman, wife Saira Banu separating after 29 years of marriage: lawyer

Success can isolate you and lead to failure: Shah Rukh Khan

Salman loved it, SRK didn’t believe in the film: Rakesh Roshan ‘Karan Arjun’ re-release

RSS remarks case: Lyricist Javed Akhtar acquitted as complainant withdraws case

MUST WATCH

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation

Geethotsava

Naxal Operation


Latest Additions

Fishing vessel collides with naval platform off Goa coast; 2 fishermen missing

BGT Day 1: Bumrah leads India’s spectacular bowling comeback after batting no-show

Cal HC stays demolition of illegal constructions in Mandarmoni

Delhi LG praises CM Atishi, calls her ‘thousand times better than her predecessor’

Centre releases 15th Finance Commission grant for rural local bodies in Karnataka

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.