Department Of Islamic Development Of Malaysia Objects To LAMB OF GOD Concert

According to The Star Online, the Department Of Islamic Development Of Malaysia (Jakim) has raised objection to the scheduled September 28 performance of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD in Kuala Lumpur.

Jakim's director-general, Datuk Othman Mustapha, said in a statement that the objection was being raised because the genre of music that LAMB OF GOD performs is a mix of metal songs with the reading of verses from the Quran.

LAMB OF GOD, which was originally known as BURN THE PRIEST, sparked controversy in the Christian community by "incorporating evil and anti-divine spiritual elements in its performance," Datuk Othman Mustapha said.

Othman said the objection was in accordance with the decision of the Fatwa (Edicts) Committee that the practices and acts of black metal groups were misguided and contrary to the true teachings of Islam.

LAMB OF GOD was famously banned from playing the church-owned Forum in Los Angeles in 2005 because church leaders were offended by the group's previous name (BURN THE PRIEST).

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times in a February 2005 interview, Marc Little, chief operating officer for the Faithful Central Bible Church's business dealings, stated about the church's decision to cancel the LAMB OF GOD concert, "This is a building that is owned by a church, and we are sensitive to our congregation and to our obvious religious beliefs. At the same time, we have to balance that with being a business. This is a band that was formerly known as BURN THE PRIEST, so it's a fair assumption that some of the stuff they are singing may be antithetical to our beliefs."