Sep 5, 2006, 15:09 GMT
A tribute to the late Freddie Mercury taking place in his birthplace of Zanzibar is set to be wrecked by a Muslim group.
The Queen singer, who tragically died of AIDS in November 1991, would have been 60 on Tuesday (05.09.06) and to acknowledge the landmark date a beach party has been organised on the East African island for this Saturday (09.09.06).
However, the Association for Islamic Mobilisation and Propagation (Uamsho) has now called for the event to be cancelled because Mercury's promiscuous gay lifestyle goes against the laws of Islam.
Abdullah Said Ali, the head of Uamsho, said: "We do not want to give our young generation the idea that homosexuals are accepted in Zanzibar. We have a religious obligation to protect morals in society and anyone who corrupts Islamic morals should be stopped."
Homosexuality was outlawed in Zanzibar in 2004, a move which was condemned by world leaders across the globe.
Uamsho is now threatening to hold a demonstration at the event if it goes ahead.
The beach party is expected to attract thousands of gay tourists from all around the world who wish to pay their respects to Mercury - who was born Farrokh Bulsara to Persian parents on September 4 1946.
(C) BANG Media International
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