Rod Stewart performs in Sydney in March 2023.Photo:Don Arnold/WireImage
Don Arnold/WireImage
Rod Stewartis speaking out about his choice to turn down performing in Saudi Arabia.
The musician, 78, said he made the decision to “shine a light on the injustices” in the Middle Eastern country in astatement shared on his InstagramThursday.
“I’m grateful that I have a choice whether or not to perform in Saudi Arabia,” the statement began. “So many citizens there have extremely limited choices - women, the LGBTQ community, the press. I’d like my choice not to go…to shine a light on the injustices there and ignite positive change."
The post was signed off with Stewart’s name.
A representative for Stewart also shared the following statement with PEOPLE: “Sir Rod Stewart has once again turned down one of the most lucrative concert offers of his career to perform in Saudi Arabia. Sighting his ‘moral compass in making the decision,’ Stewart chose to refuse the offer over the kingdom’s long history of human rights abuses, including discrimination against women and LGBTQ+ people, and of silencing its critics.”
“Only men can be legal guardians under this law, and women must have a male guardian’s permission to marry and are then obliged to obey their husband,” the human rights organization’s website reads. “Moreover, the law does not give women and men equal rights over matters relating to their children in the event of separation.”
Rod Stewart on stage in New Zealand in April 2023.Kerry Marshall/Getty
Kerry Marshall/Getty
Stewart has also previously turned down the chance to perform in Qatar.
In November 2022, a week before the country kicked off hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the “Maggie May” artist toldThe Sunday Timesthat he had rejected a considerable sum to play there previously.
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“I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1million, to play there 15 months ago,” he told the U.K. publication. “I turned it down. It’s not right to go. And the Iranians should be out too for supplying arms. Tell you what, supporters have got to watch out, haven’t they?”
source: people.com
