ATLANTA (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Two promoters have filed a lawsuit against the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, alleging that the venue refused to allow them to stage a concert there on Sept. 11 because they are Muslim.
According to CBS Atlanta, Basheer Jones and Nardin Jihad of Da Akhs Entertainment, had been planning to promote a Muslim hip-hop show at to Celebrate the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. Ramadan, which usually starts in the middle of August, enjoins Muslims from eating, drinking and engaging in sexual relations from dawn until sunset.
The Fox Theatre responed with a statement, saying, "We respect all rights to assemble as well as religious freedom. The organizers were informed that there were two reservations for that date taking priority before their request. In addition, we explained the Fox Theatre was sensitive to that date in terms of the meaning it has for all Americans, in particular those impacted by the tragedy on September 11th, 2001. We stated we would be willing to host their event on an alternate date, but they did not respond with any requests."
The promoters claim that this is not the case and said that the choice of Sept. 11th as a date was just a coincidence.
The event has been moved to Sept. 12th at the nearby Cobb Energy Center. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
