Egyptian musician union bans "gay" Elton John

From the Hindustan Times:

Egypt's musician's union on Sunday rejected plans for British singer Elton John to perform a private concert scheduled for May 18, because of his "controversial remarks attacking religions".

"How do we allow a gay, who wants to ban religions, claimed that the prophet Eissa (Jesus) was gay and calls for Middle Eastern countries to allow gays to have sexual freedom," head of the Egyptian Musician Union, Mounir al-Wasimi told DPA.

The pop superstar, 63, stirred controversy after his remarks to US celebrity news magazine Parade in February, where he said "Try being a gay woman in the Middle East - you're as good as dead", after saying he believed Jesus was "gay".

Al-Wasimi said that he has begun coordinating with security bodies to ban John's concert, saying that the union is the only body "authorised to allow performances by foreign singers in Egypt".

Al Arabiya quotes al-Wasimi further, as saying "a concert in Cairo from Elton John sets a dangerous precedent..because he is a symbol for homosexuals in the world and his presence will open the doors to the rest of the homosexual artists to perform in Egypt."

Elton John is scheduled to perform in Israel on June 17.