Afghan Mullahs Bug Out Over Shakira

So offensive was the performance, people may have to detonate.

Gyrating pop star arouses fury of the mullahs

A HIP-SHAKING performance by the pop star Shakira has provoked a showdown between the Afghan government and the country's independent media.

Senior Muslim clerics have joined the culture ministry to warn Tolo TV, the largest private television station, of serious consequences after the broadcast of a concert by the Colombian singer, famous for her onstage gyrations.

The incident is the latest sign of a growing fightback by the country's powerful conservative establishment against the more liberal-minded newspapers and broadcast media and the tide of Western-backed liberal reforms since the fall of the Taliban government in 2001.

Draconian new media legislation is soon to be signed into law by President Hamid Karzai after it was recently approved by parliament. The measures will give the Government greater powers to limit broadcasts that are deemed damaging to Afghanistan and its culture and forcing television stations to carry more religious programs or face going off air.

The Shakira broadcast caused consternation even though she appeared with computer pixellation covering her chest. State television broadcast interviews with clerics and MPs criticising the concert, and one pro-Government newspaper criticised the broadcast, saying it would provoke suicide bombers.

Apparently, they haven't learned yet how to operate a remote control.

It appears some in the goverment already have it in for Tolo TV.

MPs were furious when Tolo TV recently broadcast footage of them nodding off and picking their noses during debates.

As for Shakira, not all viewers were offended.

"Her clothes were very tight," said Sharif, a 41-year-old doorman who watched the concert. "But I had no problem with it."

Winning the hearts and minds.