Beyonce - Will She Cover Up?

Beyonce is set to take the stage in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a majority Muslim-country, on Oct. 25, two years later after cancelling a performance with the same strict dress code. Earlier show in 2007 was cancelled because protesters had threatened to cause disruption to Beyonce performance because of "sexy image and clothing" according to Associated Press (AP). After drawing such opposition from the Islamic Party, the concert organizers called it off due to "scheduling conflicts."

It looks like a repeat protest is forming for Beyonce for the Kuala Lumpur Oct. 25 performance. This American icon Beyonce states on her website, "...that she has decided to make Malaysia part of her 'I am.' World Tour." Now the question is how will Beyonce act and dress knowing the conservative expectations of female performers in Malaysia? According to BBC, other singers, too, have encountered performance problems. One group, The Pussycat Dolls, was censured in 2006. Other artists, Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne, have donned conservative attire in their performances.

According to AP, Sabki Yusof, youth vice head of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, stated on Sunday that "they would send a protest note to the government over the concert. He said it was the government's 'responsibility to protect the people of Malaysia' from what he described as immoral Western influences. He further stated, "We are not against entertainment as long as it is within the framework of our culture and our religion," Sabki said. "We are against Western sexy performances. We don't think our people need that."

It cannot be any more straight-forward than this. Westerners should observe the culture and religions of other countries when in their country. Americans should expect the same from people from other countries and cultures, to observe our culture and religion when visiting, entertaining, or working in The United States. How can we expect respect from them, if we do not show them respect as well?

I do not believe that Beyonce would really be giving up that much to dress and act conservatively for one performance on Oct. 25. It would also demonstrate that not all of the Western influences, cultures, and peoples are 'immoral' as Sabki Yusof states. Beyonce, think of your role model influence you portray to young girls and women and how that plays out in their everyday lives.

Good luck to Beyonce in her Oct. 25 performance in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

References
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8265403.stm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090920/ap_en_mu/as_people_beyonce