Egyptian Concertgoers Arrested For 'Inciting Immorality' After Waving Rainbow Flags

Seven people have reportedly been arrested in Egypt and a group of musicians apparently banned from performing in the country after fans allegedly waved rainbow flags at a rock show in Cairo.

As ABC reports, the incident occurred at a concert on Friday last week by Lebanese group Mashrou' Leila. The band's frontman, Hamed Sinno, is openly gay and an advocate for LGBTQI+ rights, particularly in the conservative Middle East.

Security officials anonymously told the Associated Press the fans were arrested on Monday and charged with "inciting immorality" for promoting homosexuality, which remains a deeply controversial practice in Egypt (though not actually illegal, despite a history of similar arrests under thinly veiled charges).

Local news service Egyptian Streets reports that the six-piece band have been banned from future performances by the Syndicate Of Professional Musicians, whose deputy, Reza Ragab, explained in a televised interview that the group had been blacklisted for performing "abnormal art".

"The syndicate aims at supporting serious art; art with a purpose," he said. "We support art that maintains the values of the society."

According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the decision is still pending approval from the syndicate's board members.

The band themselves have released a statement saying that they have personally not yet received word of the apparent ban, nor been able to find out more about the reported arrests.

"We have not yet commented about the situation in Cairo, as we have received conflicting reports, and honestly have not been able to figure out what is actually happening," they said.

"Our trusted sources on the ground have not been able to verify anything pertaining to the arrests or the alleged ban on future performances.

"We hope everyone is safe and well, and appreciate your patience."

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