Lebanese band Mashrou’ Leila claims banned in Egypt

CAIRO – 3 October 2017: Mashrou’ Leila claimed it has been banned from performing in Egypt after the rainbow flag was raised in a recent concert, according to a Monday statement released by the Lebanese band.

For years, the popular band has been performing in Egypt, even after the lead singer Hamed Sinno made it clear he is homosexual. However, in their Sept. 22 concert, some fans found the event an opportunity to raise the rainbow flag, an act that alarmed the Egyptian society, media, and officials, leading to arrests. No official entity has confirmed the ban until this day.

Mashrou’ Leila, which comprises six members, was banned from performing in Jordan in 2016 and 2017.

The musical group, founded in 2008, tends to use the approach of storytelling and orchestration in their songs and is prominent for performing an array of contemporary alternative Arabic music through the Arab region.

Describing themselves as “bitter and somber or quirky and playful at times,” their versatile albums have been played in several countries including Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, France, Holland, Turkey, Switzerland, and Serbia, as well as international festivals such as Byblos, Baalbeck, BabelMed, Paleo, and Exit.