Rema’s Ethiopian concert Cancelled Due to Religious reasons

Title: Sheraton Hotel Addis Cancels Rema’s Ethiopian New Year’s Eve Concert Amidst Controversy

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa has officially canceled Nigerian singer Rema’s highly-anticipated Ethiopian New Year’s Eve concert scheduled for September 9th. This decision comes in the wake of intense public uproar and criticisms over Rema’s use of symbols that many Ethiopians deemed disrespectful to the church and their deeply rooted religious beliefs.

Rema, the rising Afrobeat sensation, recently stirred controversy with his latest artwork featuring a burning church image. To further exacerbate matters, he transformed this image into a customized neck chain and incorporated it into the backgrounds of his performances. These visuals, often featuring inverted crosses and burning churches, sparked outrage among the Ethiopian populace, with many perceiving them as satanic and profoundly disrespectful.

Ethiopia, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and strong adherence to religious traditions, did not take Rema’s actions lightly. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which plays a central role in the lives of many Ethiopians, condemned the imagery and symbolism employed by the artist.

In response to the mounting public pressure, the Sheraton Hotel Addis decided to cancel Rema’s New Year’s Eve concert. The decision was made with the utmost respect for Ethiopian culture, history, and religious values, as outlined in a statement by the hotel’s management:

“We deeply regret any offense that may have been caused by the planned performance of Nigerian singer Rema at our hotel. As an establishment that respects and values the cultural and religious heritage of Ethiopia, we have decided to cancel the event scheduled for September 9th. We sincerely apologize to all Ethiopians who felt hurt or disrespected by the symbols used by the artist.”

The cancellation has been met with mixed reactions from the public. While some applaud the Sheraton Hotel for prioritizing cultural sensitivity and religious respect, others express disappointment that the event was canceled, as they were eager to attend Rema’s concert.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding when hosting international artists in a country with deeply ingrained cultural and religious traditions. It also highlights the responsibility artists have to be aware of the cultural and historical contexts in which they perform.

Rema, who has a growing fan base in Ethiopia, has not yet publicly commented on the cancellation of his concert or the controversy surrounding his use of controversial imagery. It remains to be seen how this incident will affect his relationship with his Ethiopian audience in the future.

As Ethiopia prepares to celebrate its New Year, the country continues to uphold its rich cultural and religious heritage, emphasizing the importance of respecting these traditions in all aspects of life, including the world of entertainment.