The Star hauled up over ‘Allah’ tattoo picture

February 27, 2012

Badu performs at the Tobago Jazz Experience in Pigeon Point April 24, 2010. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 — The Star has been directed by the Home Ministry to clarify how a picture of US singer Erykah Badu showing her tattoos of the word “Allah” in Arabic ended up in its print edition today, Bernama Online reported.

The report, citing Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong, added that the managing editor, chief news editor and the senior editor of the nation’s best-selling English language daily were all told to explain the use of the photograph.

“Further action will be based on the daily's written explanation to the ministry,” Lee was quoted as saying in the report.

Earlier today, The Star carried an apology on its website over the accidental use of the image in the newspaper.

In an article entitled “Apology for Erykah Badu photo”, the newspaper said: “A photograph of American singer Erykah Badu with tattoos of various symbols, including the Arabic word for Allah, was inadvertently published in Star2 today. We sincerely apologise to Muslim readers for this oversight.”

R&B singer Badu is also due to perform in Kuala Lumpur on February 29. It is unclear if this incident will have any bearing on her concert planned to be held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.