Akon Apologizes To Sri Lankan Buddhists
source: http://thacorner.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1285:akon-apologizes-to-sr...
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R&B singer/Konvict label boss Akon has issued a statement regarding a controversial video that has drawn the wrath of Buddhists in Sri Lanka.
Scores of people who follow the Buddhist religion in the country protested Akon’s appearance because of his video with David Guetta titled “Sexy Chick.”
Hundreds of followers of the religion took to the streets yesterday (March 23) and damaged the office buildings of the Maharaja Broadcasting and Television Network, a TV station that broadcast the video, which features women dancing around a sacred Buddhist statue.
“I was not aware that the statue was even on the set of the video until now. I would never set out to offend or desecrate anyone's religion or religious beliefs,” Akon told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “I myself am a spiritual man, so I can understand why they are offended, but violence is never the answer and I am disheartened to hear about what happened yesterday in Sri Lanka.”
The fiasco resulted in the Sri Lankan government denying Akon’s visa to perform at a concert on April 24th.
Akon’s agency American Talent Agency confirmed the show has been officially canceled.
“Due to the recent events that transpired yesterday in Sri Lanka, we have decided to postpone Akon’s upcoming show.“ a rep for American Talent Agency said in a statement. “We are working diligently with the local promoters to ensure the safety of both our talent and the fans before committing to a new date. Akon is looking forward to performing for the people of Sri Lanka and we hope to have this situation resolved in the coming weeks.”
Scores of people who follow the Buddhist religion in the country protested Akon’s appearance because of his video with David Guetta titled “Sexy Chick.”
Hundreds of followers of the religion took to the streets yesterday (March 23) and damaged the office buildings of the Maharaja Broadcasting and Television Network, a TV station that broadcast the video, which features women dancing around a sacred Buddhist statue.
“I was not aware that the statue was even on the set of the video until now. I would never set out to offend or desecrate anyone's religion or religious beliefs,” Akon told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “I myself am a spiritual man, so I can understand why they are offended, but violence is never the answer and I am disheartened to hear about what happened yesterday in Sri Lanka.”
The fiasco resulted in the Sri Lankan government denying Akon’s visa to perform at a concert on April 24th.
Akon’s agency American Talent Agency confirmed the show has been officially canceled.
“Due to the recent events that transpired yesterday in Sri Lanka, we have decided to postpone Akon’s upcoming show.“ a rep for American Talent Agency said in a statement. “We are working diligently with the local promoters to ensure the safety of both our talent and the fans before committing to a new date. Akon is looking forward to performing for the people of Sri Lanka and we hope to have this situation resolved in the coming weeks.”
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ejs18119
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haaaa!!! This is hilarious!
- 2 years ago
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ejs18119
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kapriforce
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Sri Lanka is very... evangelical when it comes to Buddhism. It has little to do with Buddhism and more to do with their culture. Buddhism doesn't defend or accept such actions by Sri Lanka over the past couple of years as they have embraced militancy and conservatism, but that's the history there and the rest of the Buddhist world is aware of it, and we have spoken out against it as not a balanced representation of Buddhism but a reflection of Sri Lanka's socio-political fervor.
- 2 years ago
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kapriforce
