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January 23, 2006
Malaysia: Islamic Fatwa Denounces "Black Metal" Music
Today, AP via Malaysia's Star states that the National Fatwa Council has made a ruling, saying Black Metal music is "unacceptable" for Muslims, as it can cause listeners to rebel against religion.
So-called Black Metal is heavy rock, but often uses occult images, and includes occult references in its lyrics. The AP states it emerged in Europe in the 1980s and has gained popularity in South-East Asia of late among underground rock fans.
One assumes it is akin to Death Metal, or Marilyn Manson's music, or even Ozzie Osbourne's work, but the bands listed in a recent BBC World Service report, who appeared at a concert in Kuala Lumpur on New Year's Eve, were all home-grown in South-East Asia.
The ruling came after requests from some Malaysians, after a controversial police operation at the New Years' concert led to the arrests of 380 people attending the event. The individuals were claimed by police, and also Malaysian media, as being suspected of drug use. Hardly any drugs were seized and revellers, such as a girl wearing a black T-shirt claimed to the BBC that she was told she was being arrested for inappropriate attire, claim police were "heavy-handed".
The actions of the police would be perhaps justifiable if there were 380 drugs convictions. The actions of the police, as described by the BBC, appear to be more concerned with prohibition of the listeners of the music, rather than prohibitions against drugs or other issues.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at January 23, 2006 7:42 AM
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