Nabil Luqman

0f9d2dd4f71434084e2b6094de1865e23abb37bb9f28ca51feeabee679ec9be2

Social

investigation

The Weeknd

JAKIM

concert

PUSPAL

After Hours Til Dawn

religious sensitivity

<p>The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is investigating allegations that elements of worship were featured during The Weeknd&rsquo;s two-night concert in Kuala Lumpur, following criticism of the show&rsquo;s stage visuals on social media.</p>
<p>Religious Affairs Minister Dr Zulkifli Hasan said JAKIM&rsquo;s Research Division was working with the secretariat of the Central Agency Committee for Applications for Filming and Performances by Foreign Artistes (PUSPAL) to verify the claims and determine whether the organisers had complied with the conditions and guidelines imposed on foreign performers.</p>
<p>The review follows the Canadian singer&rsquo;s successful two-night After Hours Til Dawn Tour finale at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on 4 and 5 November. An estimated 130,000 fans attended, while memorable and amusing moments from the shows continued circulating online.</p>
<p><strong>JAKIM And PUSPAL Reviewing Allegations</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMyJAKIMmalaysia%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0znYUxcV6Zpw49ScwgXbNfqM4wFU6B2KcJVEZu6b2cighoLrcE1PSLLszDke2Kc8Yl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="693" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></strong></p>
<p>In a statement shared on 9 November, Zulkifli said the authorities were examining the validity of the allegations, as well as whether the concert had breached any of the requirements set for the performance.</p>
<p>He stressed that Islam strictly prohibits any form of worship directed towards anyone or anything other than Allah. He added that artistic performances must not create confusion over matters of faith, morality and religious sensitivities in Malaysia.</p>
<p>Zulkifli said firm action would be taken under the law if a breach was established through verified facts. No finding that the concert had violated the guidelines has been announced.</p>
<p><strong>Giant Golden Statue Sparks Online Backlash</strong></p>
<p>The controversy centres on a giant golden female robot sculpture featured prominently on stage throughout The Weeknd&rsquo;s After Hours Til Dawn Tour.</p>
<p>Designed by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama, the towering figure appeared alongside performers dressed in red hooded robes, with the stage built around a futuristic landscape of golden ruins. The visuals prompted some social media users to question whether the imagery carried ritualistic or worship-related symbolism.</p>
<p>PAS Youth also questioned how the visuals had been approved, claiming that some elements resembled rituals and could normalise practices that conflict with Islamic beliefs. The group linked the stage concept to a fictional civilisation that worshipped machines as gods. These claims remain allegations, which JAKIM and PUSPAL are working to verify.</p>
<p><strong>The Weeknd Wraps Up Successful Two-Night Malaysia Show</strong></p>
<p>The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, chose Kuala Lumpur as the final stop of his global After Hours Til Dawn Tour, which began in 2022. The shows drew an estimated 65,000 concertgoers each night, including fans who travelled from overseas and queued early for merchandise.</p>
<p>Several moments from the performances quickly went viral. During &ldquo;Out of Time&rdquo;, The Weeknd walked into the crowd and handed the microphone to a fan, while his shout-outs to &ldquo;KL&rdquo; and &ldquo;Malaysia&rdquo; drew loud cheers.</p>
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<p>Japanese duo Creepy Nuts also won over the audience by signing off with a cheerful &ldquo;terima kasih banyak banyak&rdquo;. Another widely shared moment involved local fan Juhan Shameerul Shaharuzaman, who managed to touch The Weeknd&rsquo;s hand at the barricade. He later said it felt like a blessing and admitted he kissed the hand he had used to touch the singer at least three times.</p>
<p>There were some less glamorous moments, too. Traffic congestion and transport problems after the concerts left some fans struggling to get home, with one concertgoer reportedly walking around five kilometres after failing to secure a ride. These stories, alongside the fan interactions, kept the two-night finale circulating online.</p>
<p><strong>What Happens Next?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img src="https://r2.myc.my/b3ec37b7a66986294f344cd4975bcb0db77eeda93918c43fb3f5cba897eee997" /></strong></p>
<p>PUSPAL coordinates the approval process for foreign artistes, and the current review will assess whether the stage design and performance met the required conditions. No penalties have been announced, and the authorities have yet to confirm any violation.</p>
<p>While The Weeknd&rsquo;s Kuala Lumpur shows have concluded on a high note for many fans, the debate surrounding the golden statue has placed the balance between artistic expression and religious sensitivities back in the spotlight. The findings could also influence how organisers and international artistes approach stage concepts for future concerts in Malaysia.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media &amp; various cross-references for context.</strong></p>
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What started as a concert spectacle has now sparked a religious sensitivity debate.

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JAKIM Investigates Alleged Worship Elements At The Weeknd’s Kuala Lumpur Concert

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JAKIM Investigates Alleged Worship Elements At The Weeknd’s Kuala Lumpur Concert

What started as a concert spectacle has now sparked a religious sensitivity debate.

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