Thaindian News

May 19, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): Elton John is to enact a crucial role in Morocco’s largest musical carnival regardless of demands from the Islamist political opposition there that his invitation be annulled due to his homosexuality.

The carnival’s director, Aziz Daki, elucidated that Elton John is one of the finest artists in the globe. He is stupendous and amazing when he emerges in the arena. Therefore, he has been supplied an invitation to participate in the Mawazine carnival.

Daki divulged that the personal life of a vocalist is not something that bothers the organizers of the carnival. Vocalists and artists are not requested to attend the carnival subsequent to an evaluation of their personal lives.

Nonetheless, Mustapha Ramid, from the opposition’s Islamist PJD party, declared that Morocco is an Islamic nation where the daises should not be utilized to permit an individual like Elton John to perform since he is someone with a mammoth level of decadence. He mentioned that the young Moroccans have to be protected from the sinful influence of homosexuals like Elton John.

Religious traditionalists in Morocco have contended that Elton John, a candidly gay vocalist, would besmirch the picture of the north African kingdom were he be permitted to deliver a rendition at the Mawazine World Rhythms festival in the capital, Rabat.

Khalil Hachemi Idrissi, editor of the French-language broadsheet, Aujourd’hui Le Maroc, articulated that such an intolerant standpoint, if not denounced, will convert Morocco into a detested nation among enlightened nations.

In spite of the conservative hostility, the singer will head the carnival, commencing on May 21, which draws together musicians from 50 nations and is endorsed by King Mohammed.