Selena Gomez in concert in Malaysia. SCREENGRAB FROM TWITTER
PETALING JAYA — Clad in a pair of black slacks and a long-sleeved black top, American pop star Selena Gomez said she chose her outfit out of respect for Malaysia’s culture and religion.
“New outfit out of respect for the culture and religion of Malaysia,” said a tweet on Selena Gomez News (@SelenaHQ) uploaded on Monday night as she entertained thousands at her 70-minute concert at Stadium Melawati.
Gomez, who was performing in Malaysia for the first time, sang hits from her latest release such as “Good For You,” “Hands To Myself” and “Same Old Love,” as well as old favorites, “Who Says” and “Love You Like A Love Song.”
It was her second stop in the Asian-leg of the Revival World Tour to promote her latest album.
READ: Selena Gomez’s ‘Revival’ world tour to make Manila stop on July 31
The concert had drawn flak from Islamist party PAS, with its Selangor executive councilor in charge of Islamic Affairs, Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, urging mosques throughout the state to perform the solat hajat (special prayers) to pray for the cancellation of the American singer’s show.
Ahmad Yunus hoped that the concert organizers would be “enlightened by Allah” and that Selangor would “not be struck with disasters.”
On July 19, PAS dakwah committee chairman Hafez Sabri claimed that Gomez’s sexy appearance would tarnish the sanctity of the month of Syawal.
Expressing regret that local authorities had approved the concert to be held, Hafez said that Gomez’s presence would further stoke the hedonistic culture among the country’s youths.
Hafez also called on the state Islamic religious council to issue an official letter prohibiting Gomez’s concert.