[www.inewsguyana.com] – A decision is yet to be made as to whether or not reggae act Sean Paul will perform at a New Year’s Eve gig in the Maldives.
The Grammy-winning artiste was reportedly issued a death threat by an Islamic group claiming to have ties in Syria.
The video message was posted online. Carlette DeLeon, publicist for the artiste, said a decision would be taken following a meeting with Sean Paul’s management team and authorities in the Maldives.
“We are aware of the developing situation. We are currently in contact with all related parties concerning the concert to address the matter. No further details are available at this time,” DeLeon told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.
Britain’s Independent newspaper reported the video message carries the logo of the Bilad Al Sham Media (BASM) group, an organisation which claims to comprise Maldivian jihadists based in Syria and the Maldives.
“Sean Paul, if you visit the Maldives, the world will see your burned and blood-drenched dead body,” said cards held by a cloaked figure in the video posted on YouTube late on Wednesday night.
“It is for all Muslim to jihad in the name of Allah. Hence disbelievers like Sean Paul, who are like the worst of the devil’s advocates, deserve nothing but death,” the threat continued.
A Twitter account allegedly belonging to BASM denied being behind the threat, revealing in a tweet: “We would clearly like to announce that our media have nothing to do with the Sean Paul death threatening video.
Sean Paul was set to perform at a free concert in the country’s capital Male.
Reports from the authorities are said to be mixed in light of the threats with Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb stating on social media that the concert would go ahead as planned, while the Islamic Affairs Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said that both the death threat and Paul’s appearance were unacceptable.
The Maldives, a nation in the Indian Ocean-Arabian Sea area, consist of a double chain of 26 atolls. It is best known as a location for luxury holidays and honeymoon getaways. [Jamaica Observer]
