Sami Yusuf, the famed British Muslim singer who was born in Iran has been banned from state television in Iran after performing in Nazareth, the Guardian reported Monday.
The Iranian government made the decision to stop airing Yusuf's music on all its channels after he performed in the city during Ramadan, despite it and his audience being mostly Palestinian.
"Sami Yusuf’s recent trip to the occupied territories (Christian and Jewish holy sites including the site of the baptism of Jesus Christ) is the reason why his works are banned from the state television," Iranian news website Entikhab reported.
Islam's biggest rockstar issued a statement Monday on Instagram, Facebook and his website, writing: “I was very surprised to hear that the official state TV and radio for the Islamic Republic of Iran has banned my music and likeness due to my recent performance in Nazareth."
“I was not aware that bringing smiles to the faces of my beloved Palestinian brothers and sisters could cause such offence to the government of Iran. I am sorry that my precious listeners in Iran will be denied my music for sometime, but I will not apologise for performing in Palestine.”