Author:
Publication: The Times of India
Date: January 18, 2005
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/994252.cms
A sultry pop singer dubbed the "Muslim
Madonna" is facing the wrath of religious fundamentalists after releasing
a sexy video for her first British single.
Deeyah, 27, has become the target
of violent threats from members of the Muslim community offended by her
glamorous image. Her video is reportedly being shown on Indian channels.
The singer, of mixed Pakistani,
Afghan and Persian descent, has received intimidating phone calls, aggressive
emails and verbal threats from Asian youths warning her to "tone down and
cover up".
But Deeyah has vowed to defy them
all in her attempts to carve out a pop career.
She said: "It is not going to make
me go away. This is such a liberal, multicultural country and I never thought
my background could become such an issue to some people.
"It does scare me but it also angers
me and encourages me not to give up, and my parents encourage me.
"I do not flaunt my religious background,
I never sing about it and compared to other pop stars I am not particularly
risqué."
When Deeyah did a tour of junior
schools, including some Muslim schools in Bradford, her performances provoked
several boys to leave the room and fights broke out as tensions rose among
the students.
