The United States rapper Nicki Minaj seems to have cancelled her concert in Saudi Arabia in order to show support to women’s and Gay rights in the Kingdom. Nicki Minaj was scheduled to perform in the western city of Jeddah next week as part of a cultural festival. Notably, there are several famous celebs including British musician Liam Payne and American DJ Steve Aoki are scheduled to perform in Saudi Arabi’s Music Festival.
It is to be noted that Nicki Minaj’s decision of pulling out of the concert comes after the New York-based Human Rights Foundation wrote an open letter to Nicki Minaj requesting her to withdraw her name and refuse the Kingdom’s money. They also urged her to use her global influence to demand the release of jailed Saudi women activists.
Following her decision, the Human Right Foundation took to Twitter and wrote: “THANK YOU @NICKIMINAJ for cancelling your #SaudiArabia concert and for supporting LGBTQ & women’s rights. Millions of people around the world are inspired by your devotion to human rights and human dignity. We at @HRF salute you & are grateful for your leadership.”
The decision of Nicki Minaj has triggered a worldwide backlash over human rights in the country. In a statement, Minaj stated, “After careful reflection, I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest.”
“While I want nothing more than to bring my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, after better educating myself on the issues, I believe it is important for me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression,” she added.
Notably, Amnesty International had earlier described the Saudi human rights record as “abysmal,” adding that the nation is in the “grip of a sweeping crackdown against critics of the government.”
Taking to Twitter, Minaj wrote: “It would break me if even one of my fans were arrested, or BEATEN for expressing themselves,” Minaj tweeted Tuesday. Adding on she said “NO disrespect to the Saudi govt.”
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