For The Second Consecutive Year, Mashrou’ Leila Banned From Performing In Jordan
Main picture: Tarek Moukaddem Photography
In April of last year, Mashrou’ Leila planned their last regional concert to take place in Jordan before embarking on their European ‘Ibn El Leil’ tour. Shortly before the concert would have taken place, Jordanian authorities banned the event, stating that the performance would have clashed with the ‘authenticity’ of the site in which they would have performed. But many people, knowing the ideals and morals that the outspoken band represents, were quick to assume that the reason for the prohibition of the concert was actually rooted in the band’s progressive ideologies on gender equality, political criticism, and their open stance on the stringency for LGBTQI human rights in the Middle East.
Late last night news flooded social media platforms of the band’s upcoming performance scheduled for the 27th of June, having been yet again cancelled by Jordanian authorities.
Mashrou’ Leila, who released their first album in 2009, have since garnered worldwide recognition for their immense talent conveyed through symbolic lyrics that are reflective of cultural issues ranging from love, war, politics, security, materialism, and homosexuality. Their lead singer, Hamed Sinno, has Jordanian roots and was one of the first Lebanese public figures to identify with the LGBTQI community. Their performances in Jordan are particularly special given the band’s appreciation for Jordan and for the fact that The Kingdom is one of the only places where their Palestinian fans can witness them perform.
The Jordanian Ministry of Tourism released a statement after last year’s cancellation, stating that they would allow for the band to come to Jordan in the future after their performance was initially cancelled. This claim was overruled yesterday, however, when Jordan’s Minister of Interior signed a paper demanding the prohibition of their upcoming performance, seen below.
News of the ban has been met with vehement criticism in Jordan and the region as a whole, both from people expressing disdain towards the banning of such an event, and from people expressing outright hatred and criticism for the ideals that the band has come to represent, mostly LGBTQI human rights. The performance would have taken place on June 27, 2017 – so statements that claim that the concert was banned because it would have coincided with the Holy Month of Ramadan are invalid and irrelevant.
Above all, this news confirms that governmental censorship is alive and kicking in the Middle East, and it stands as yet another setback for the progressive face of the region.
UPDATE: The band shared this video on June 14, expressing their disdain towards the ban and their resilience in committing to their narrative despite it all.
Below are some reactions to the ban, most of which use the hashtag #بدنا_ليلى_في_عمان and #ادعم_مشروع_ليلى (Meaning: #WeWantLeilaInAmman, and #SupportMashrouLeila).
