Two Islamic groups have called for the cancellation of the upcoming Coldplay concert in Bukit Jalil, claiming that it is insensitive and sinful to enjoy music while Palestinians are suffering in Gaza.
Isma, or the Muslim Solidarity Council, said in a statement today that the concert, scheduled for Nov. 22, is disrespectful to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 11,000 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes.
“The council urges all Muslims not to get involved with the concert and would like to remind them that their ignorance of what is happening in Palestine is a sin which will be questioned,” said its religious council chairman Datuk Zamri Hashim.
He added that Isma wants the concert to be scrapped as a sign of respect and sympathy for the Palestinians.
PAS Youth vice-chairman Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin also chimed in.
“At a time when the world is in solidarity in anger over the cruelty of the Zionists on the people of Palestine along with the Muslim world praying and hoping for the safety of Palestinians, this concert could be entertainment that would evoke His wrath,” he said in a statement.
Coldplay, the British rock band behind hits like Yellow and Viva La Vida, will be performing in Kuala Lumpur as part of their Music of the Spheres World Tour. The concert has been sold out since tickets went on sale in May.
For what it’s worth, Coldplay has always been about world peace and standing up for the oppressed. In fact, the band has long stood in solidarity with Palestine, most notably by promoting the song Freedom for Palestine in 2011 and collaborating with the Palestinian band Le Trio Joubran for the song Arabesque.
