AMMAN,
Jordan – Jordan is permitting a popular Lebanese rock band to perform,
lifting an earlier ban imposed amid claims the group’s songs promoting
religious and sexual freedom violate local customs and religious
beliefs.

Khalid Abu Zeid, a regional politician who initially
announced the ban against “Mashrou Leila,” or Leila’s Project, said in a
new statement that “we don’t mind if this concert takes place.” He
didn’t elaborate.

The indie band, known for songs about
controversial subjects, says the reversal comes too late for the Jordan
show to take place as scheduled on Friday.

The initial ban sparked
criticism of Jordan, which presents itself as an island of relative
tolerance in a turbulent region where religious fundamentalism is on the
rise.

The group’s detractors apparently included both Christian and Muslim clerics and officials.