Lebanese rock band takes center stage in freedoms debate
BEIRUT >> A popular Mideast rock band known for its rousing music and lyrics challenging norms in the conservative Arab world is once again at the center of a heated debate about freedom of expression — this time over a planned concert in its hometown in Lebanon.
Church leaders and conservative politicians set off a storm of indignation on social media this week when they demanded that a concert by Mashrou’ Leila, scheduled to take place in the coastal city of Byblos on Aug. 9, be canceled, saying the group’s songs are an insult to Christianity.
The indie rock band, whose lead singer and song writer Hamed Sinno is openly gay, has been a champion of LGBT rights in the Arab world and regularly sings against sectarianism and social problems.
The band has previously been banned from performing in Jordan and Egypt, but censorship demands threatening its concert in the more liberal Lebanon — where it has performed on numerous occasions — are new.
“After looking at the goals of Mashrou’ Leila and the content of the songs it performs which infringe on religious and humanitarian values ... we call on authorities to suspend their performance on the land of holiness, civilization and history,” a statement issued by the Christian Maronite Archdiocese of Byblos said.
On Facebook, a group calling itself the “Soldiers of God” started a campaign against the concert, posting warnings suggesting it would take to the streets to prevent the event from taking place. Others weighed in, starting a hashtag that called for stopping the performance.
Taken aback, the group hit back on Monday, saying it has been surprised by the “defamatory campaign.”
“It’s very sad that some of the lyrics from our songs have been cherry picked, taken out of context and twisted into a meaning very far from what the songs are actually about,” a statement issued by the band said.
The rhetoric by religious and conservative figures spurred a response from activists, rights groups and outraged Lebanese, angry over what they see as their country’s mounting suppression of freedom of expression.