Nicki Minaj has canceled a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hip-hop-star-nicki-minaj-to-perform-in-saudi-arabia-232897">performance in Saudi Arabia</a> in a show of support for women's and gay rights in the ultra-conservative kingdom, the US rapper said Tuesday. 
 
Minaj's scheduled appearance in the western city of Jeddah next week as part of a cultural festival had triggered a social media backlash over human rights in the country. 
 
"After careful reflection I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest," Minaj said in a statement sent to AFP by her publicist. 
 
"While I want nothing more than to bring my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, after better educating myself on the issues,&nbsp;I believe it is important for me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression." 
 
Minaj, known for her profanity-laced lyrics and raunchy music videos, was due to perform as headline act of the festival as the kingdom loosens its decades-old restrictions on entertainment. 
 
Others scheduled to perform include British musician Liam Payne and American DJ Steve Aoki.&nbsp; 
 
The New York-based Human Rights Foundation on Friday wrote Minaj an open letter urging her to withdraw from the festival, calling on her to "refuse the regime's money" and use her global influence to demand the release of jailed Saudi women activists.

Amnesty International has described the Saudi human rights record as "abysmal," adding that the nation is in the "grip of a sweeping crackdown against critics of the government."

"It would break me if even one of my fans were arrested, or BEATEN for expressing themselves," Minaj tweeted Tuesday. 
 
"NO disrespect to the Saudi govt," she added. 
 
MTV denied organizers' claims that the channel will be broadcasting the festival. 
 
"MTV is not and was never broadcasting or participating in the Jeddah World Festival," a spokeswoman said. &nbsp;

The festival in Saudi Arabia, which forbids alcohol and has a strict social code, comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pursues a liberalization drive that has led to new cinemas, concerts and sporting extravaganzas. 
 
The reforms are seen by some as an attempt to blunt public frustration over an economic downturn and high youth unemployment. 
 
Saudi Arabia is also moving to boost domestic spending on entertainment and tourism, as the kingdom has reeled from low oil prices.

While Saudi Arabia is yet to offer tourist visas, the country has fast-tracked electronic permits for international visitors to attend such festivals to further boost revenue. 
 
The kingdom has been under scrutiny since the killing of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last year, which caused international outrage.

Nicki Minaj has canceled a performance in Saudi Arabia in a show of support for women's and gay rights in the ultra-conservative kingdom, the US rapper said Tuesday.

Nicki Minaj has canceled a performance in Saudi Arabia in a show of support for women's and gay rights in the ultra-conservative kingdom, the US rapper said Tuesday. Minaj's scheduled appearance in the western city of Jeddah next week as part of a cultural festival had triggered a social media backlash over human rights in the country. "After careful reflection I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest," Minaj said in a statement sent to AFP by her publicist. "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." Minaj, known for her profanity-laced lyrics and raunchy music videos, was due to perform as headline act of the festival as the kingdom loosens its decades-old restrictions on entertainment. Others scheduled to perform include British musician Liam Payne and American DJ Steve Aoki. The New York-based Human Rights Foundation on Friday wrote Minaj an open letter urging her to withdraw from the festival, calling on her to "refuse the regime's money" and use her global influence to demand the release of jailed Saudi women activists. Amnesty International has described the Saudi human rights record as "abysmal," adding that the nation is in the "grip of a sweeping crackdown against critics of the government." "It would break me if even one of my fans were arrested, or BEATEN for expressing themselves," Minaj tweeted Tuesday. "NO disrespect to the Saudi govt," she added. MTV denied organizers' claims that the channel will be broadcasting the festival. "MTV is not and was never broadcasting or participating in the Jeddah World Festival," a spokeswoman said. The festival in Saudi Arabia, which forbids alcohol and has a strict social code, comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pursues a liberalization drive that has led to new cinemas, concerts and sporting extravaganzas. The reforms are seen by some as an attempt to blunt public frustration over an economic downturn and high youth unemployment. Saudi Arabia is also moving to boost domestic spending on entertainment and tourism, as the kingdom has reeled from low oil prices. While Saudi Arabia is yet to offer tourist visas, the country has fast-tracked electronic permits for international visitors to attend such festivals to further boost revenue. The kingdom has been under scrutiny since the killing of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last year, which caused international outrage.

Nicki Minaj cancels Saudi Arabia concert over women's rights concerns

American rapper Nicki Minaj is facing criticism by human rights activists for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hip-hop-star-nicki-minaj-to-perform-in-saudi-arabia-232897">scheduling performance in Saudi Arabia</a>, a Middle East Country which treats women and minorities as second-class citizens. 
 
The rapper will soon make her way to Saudi Arabia to perform at the Jeddah World Fest scheduled to be held at King Abdullah Sports Stadium in the Red Sea city. 
 
A human rights foundation has sent a letter to Minaj asking for her to withdraw from the upcoming event. 
 
"Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the individual who authorized and is financing your seven-figure performance at the event. I am writing to urgently inform you of the human rights crises in Saudi Arabia," wrote HRF CEO Thor Halvorssen. 
 
According to the Hollywood Reporter, in letter explains, in detail, how women and children's rights are violated in Saudi.&nbsp; 
 
The upcoming concert has been planned while keeping in mind the laws of the country which prohibits alcohol, drugs and will only welcome people above 16 years of age. 
 
However, there were mixed reactions to the announcement. A Saudi woman posted a video on Twitter accusing the government of being a hypocrite after they invited Minaj to perform at the event. 
 
Others who will perform at the event are British artist Liam Payne and American DJ Steve Aoki.&nbsp;

American rapper Nicki Minaj is facing criticism by human rights activists for scheduling performance in Saudi Arabia, a Middle East Country which treats women and minorities as second-class citizens.

American rapper Nicki Minaj is facing criticism by human rights activists for scheduling performance in Saudi Arabia, a Middle East Country which treats women and minorities as second-class citizens. The rapper will soon make her way to Saudi Arabia to perform at the Jeddah World Fest scheduled to be held at King Abdullah Sports Stadium in the Red Sea city. A human rights foundation has sent a letter to Minaj asking for her to withdraw from the upcoming event. "Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the individual who authorized and is financing your seven-figure performance at the event. I am writing to urgently inform you of the human rights crises in Saudi Arabia," wrote HRF CEO Thor Halvorssen. According to the Hollywood Reporter, in letter explains, in detail, how women and children's rights are violated in Saudi. The upcoming concert has been planned while keeping in mind the laws of the country which prohibits alcohol, drugs and will only welcome people above 16 years of age. However, there were mixed reactions to the announcement. A Saudi woman posted a video on Twitter accusing the government of being a hypocrite after they invited Minaj to perform at the event. Others who will perform at the event are British artist Liam Payne and American DJ Steve Aoki.

Nicki Minaj criticised by human rights activists ahead of concert in Saudi Arabia

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Nicki Minaj cancels Saudi Arabia concert over women's rights concerns

Nicki Minaj criticised by human rights activists ahead of concert in Saudi Arabia