Elton John to play despite outcry

SIR Elton John is to press ahead with a concert in Morocco despite opposition from the country's religious conservatives.

Islamist leaders had called for him to be banned from Morocco's Mawazine World Rhythms festival for "bragging about his homosexuality".

Unlike the Egyptian government, which recently called off a concert by John after lobbying from the religious right, the organisers have defied the calls.

"Elton John is one of the best artists in the world," festival director Aziz Daki said.

"He is great on stage. That's why we invite him."

But Mustapha Ramid, a member of the Islamist PJD opposition party, said: "Morocco is an Islamic state where stages should not used to allow a person with such a degree of debauchery to perform because we have to shield the young from such influences.

"We asked the government to exclude Elton John from the list of artists invited to this festival. This man is known for bragging about his homosexuality."

Mika, Sting, Carlos Santana and Toumani Diabate are among the other performers at this year's festival, to be held in the Moroccan capital of Rabat from 21 to 29 May.