The government of Malaysia has banned Muslims from attending a Black Eyed Peas concert in the country, because the event is sponsored by alcohol company Guinness.
The government issued the ban after learning that the Black Eyed Peas would be celebrating the 250th anniversary of Guinness’ first brewery as part of a concert at a theme park in Kuala Lumpur on September 25.
“The party is only open to non-Muslims aged 18 years and above,” a representative for the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture said. “Muslims cannot attend. Non-Muslims can go and have fun.”
Officials almost canceled the entire concert because the government does not permit alcoholic beverage companies from organizing concerts.
The Malaysian government made an exception for the Peas’ concert to boost tourism, but Guinness has been forbidden from displaying their logo at the event.
The banning of Muslims is the latest incident involving liquor in the country.
According to reports, in August, a Muslim woman sentenced by an Islamic court, to be caned, for drinking beer in public.