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Minaj, known for her raunchy outfits and
provocative stage performances, was due to headline the Jeddah
World Fest music festival on July 18, but her plan to appear was
criticized last week on social media.
"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,”
the "Starships" singer said in a statement.
The New York-based Human Rights Foundation (HRF) last week urged
Minaj to cancel her performance, saying her appearance would be
at odds with the rapper's participation in festivities in New
York marking Gay Pride month in June.
Homosexuality is banned in Saudi Arabia.
On Tuesday, HRF Chief Executive Thor Halvorssen welcomed Minaj's
change of heart, praising her "inspiring and thoughtful decision
to reject the Saudi regime’s transparent attempt at using her
for a public relations stunt."
Saudi officials last week said the Jeddah World Fest would be
the region's biggest ever live musical event. Other announced
performers include former One Direction British singer Liam
Payne and American DJ Steve Aoki.
Halvorssen said on Tuesday he hoped Payne would follow Minaj and
withdraw.
When the concert was announced last week, some Saudis expressed
excitement about the latest in a string of performances by
Western artists, including Mariah Carey, DJ Tiesto and the Black
Eyed Peas.
However others were irritated by Minaj's revealing stage
outfits. Saudi women are bound to an extremely conservative
dress code.
Around a dozen Saudi women activists have been detained for the
past year on charges related to human rights work and contacts
with foreign journalists and diplomats in a case that has drawn
global attention after last year’s murder of journalist Jamal
Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Some Saudis on Tuesday expressed dismay at Minaj's withdrawal.
"You say you’ve educated yourself on the issues but clearly
that’s not true. Good job on disappointing whatever fans you had
here," tweeted Jeddah-based Jamil Baabdullah.
"I am your biggest fan and I was dying just waiting to see you
in Jeddah but you disappointed me thank you," a user called
Mohammed al7 posted on Twitter.
(Additional reporting by Stephen Kalin in Riyadh; Editing by
Bill Berkrot and James Dalgleish)
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