Popstar Haife Wehbe faces Bahrain ban

FACING BAN: Bahrain's Islamist-dominated parliament has approved a motion asking the government to ban a performance by Wehbe. (AFP)

Bahrain's Islamist-dominated parliament on Tuesday approved an urgent motion asking the government to ban a performance by Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe, known for her sexy looks and revealing outfits.

Sunni and Shi'ite Islamist lawmakers joined hands to push through the motion, which requires the government to take the necessary measures to stop the show, timed to coincide with Labour Day on Thursday, a parliamentary statement said.

The move by the 40-member parliament, where Islamists hold three-quarters of seats, came despite assurances by organisers that the Lebanese superstar would dress modestly during the show, which would be reserved for families and respect Bahrain's traditions.

Islamist MPs regularly campaign to stop shows and other forms of entertainment deemed to violate Islamic tenets in Bahrain, which has traditionally been relatively liberal by the standards of the conservative Gulf region.

Four years ago, Sunni Islamist lawmakers, who are close to the government, forced Saudi-owned MBC satellite television to suspend the production of an Arabic version of the reality TV show Big Brother that was being filmed in Bahrain, charging that the show flouted Islamic traditions.

Opposition Shi'ite Islamists entered parliament in 2006 elections.

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