Sean Paul will not perform in Maldives after online death threat from Jihadist group

Jamaican reggae artiste Sean Paul will not be performing in the Maldives following reports of an online death threat.

The video, posted to YouTube on Christmas Day, warned Sean Paul against going to the Maldives for a New Year’s Eve concert and declared he would be killed if he went ahead with the performance.

Late Saturday, Sean Paul thanked the people of The Maldives for inviting him to perform in their country. “Through social media, I have felt the love and support from many Maldivian citizens looking forward to the concert.

I have also heard the concerns of some citizens regarding the concert and the concerns of my fellow Jamaicans.”

In a message posted on his Face Book page he added that he supports freedom of expression “within whichever context best suites you and do not judge others based on their religious beliefs. During this very holy season for people of all faiths, I pray for peace.”

The Maldives, an Indian Ocean nation, is best known in the West as a location for luxury holidays and honeymoon getaways.

But recently, there has been concern about growing conservatism in the Muslim nation and, in particular, of the rise of extremism.