Nigerian music sensation, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema has had his concert in Ethiopia cancelled because of religious concerns, News About Nigeria gathered.
An Ethiopian woman confirmed this during an Instagram Live chat with Daddy Freeze.
The Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa issued a statement, saying they cancelled Rema’s Ethiopian New Year’s Eve Concert, which was supposed to be on September 9.
The problem started when people accused Rema of ‘devil-worshipping’ because of the symbols on his necklace.
The symbols used by Rema, particularly a burning church featured on his necklace and used as a backdrop for his performances, were viewed as disrespectful and offensive by many Ethiopians.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church also expressed its disapproval of these symbols.
Due to increasing public pressure, Sheraton Hotel Addis decided to cancel Rema’s event on New Year’s Eve.
The hotel’s management issued a statement expressing their regret for any offence caused by Rema’s planned performance, stating their respect for Ethiopian culture, history, and religious values.
The Ethiopian woman Daddy Freeze talked to explained that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church cancelled Rema’s show because they thought he was a devil worshipper because of his necklace.
“They made a statement, like a press release in Ethiopia about Rema. Yes, you can imagine, it’s a very big deal,” she said.
“They’re basically saying he’s a devil worshipper because of what he has on his neck. And to be honest, I never thought of it myself. And there’s more to it; to be honest.”
