Indonesian Muslims Condemn Lady Gaga Concert: 'Intended to Destroy the Nation's Morality

Pop star Lady Gaga may have millions of fans across the globe, but some Islamic leaders in Indonesia cannot be counted among them.

The Jakarta Globe is reporting that the singer has drawn the ire of Muslim leaders in the Southeast Asian country after her concert, which is bound to be provocative, sold out in less than two hours.

The June 3 performance that has religious leaders up in arms is scheduled to take place at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, Indonesia. After selling 25,000 tickets, Lady Gaga attracted the attention of Indonesian Council of Ulema (ICU) chairman Cholil Ridwan, who said, "[The concert is] intended to destroy the nation’s morality."

"She is from the West, and she often shows her aurat [private parts of the body] when performing," the chairman continued, going on to state his worry that Western singers, like Lady Gaga, have a negative influence over Indonesian youths. It may be time, he maintained, for these "cultural attacks to end.

The ICU is a body that governs relations between the Indonesian government and the religious community. Ridwan admitted to never seeing the singer perform and that he merely knows of her reputation from learning information from others.

The Global Post adds:

Chairman Cholil Ridwan, of the influential Indonesian Council of Ulema, is honoring the rich Indonesian-Malaysian tradition of condemning Western pop stars for besmirching religious piety on their soil.

Past performers accused of soiling youthful morality include Kelly Clarkson, Rihanna, Linkin Park, Avril Lavigne and -- just recently in Malaysia -- Erykah Badu.

An imam also weighed in on the controversy. Although Imam Ali Mustafa Yaqub said that Lady Gaga isn't "haram" (forbidden by Islamic law), watching her performances is. Viewing a women who is barely clothed, Yaqub explained, is not permitted under Muslim law.

"Perform naked only in front of your husband," he said.

(H/T: Jakarta Globe)