Singer Chris Martin of rock band Coldplay performs at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, US, Sept. 30, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Coldplay’s pro-Palestinian stance helped make it possible for the British rock band to perform for the first time ever in Malaysia on Wednesday night, despite the fact that their concert was under threat of being canceled hours earlier after some in the Muslim-majority country opposed the group’s support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Coldplay’s concert at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur was reportedly attended by 75,000 people. At one point during the show, lead singer Chris Martin thanked the Malaysian government for allowing the British rock band to perform in the country.

Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and has been a longtime supporter of the Palestinian cause. At a demonstration in Kuala Lumpur last month, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim joined 16,000 pro-Palestinian supporters in condemning Israel’s “barbarism” during its ongoing military operation against Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Ibrahim also slammed Western countries for supporting Israel in its defensive war after Hamas’ Oct. 7 pogrom across southern Israeli communities.

Malaysia’s opposition Islamic party PAS criticized the Coldplay concert in Parliament on Tuesday because of the band’s vocal support for the LGBTQ+ community and “hedonism culture.” But Ibrahim ultimately gave a pass in allowing the Coldplay concert to move ahead, citing the band’s support for Palestinians to help justify his decision. When speaking in Parliament, Ibrahim said that “Coldplay is actually among the bands that support Palestine.” The prime minister also said pro-Palestinian groups told his office they support the Coldplay concert.

Malaysia’s Communication and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil acknowledged before the concert that power for the show would be shut off if the British band acted out of line. “Yes, it’s one of the things we have discussed with the organizer [Live Nation Malaysia],” he told the Associated Press. “The prime minister has also said the band, you know, is very supportive of Palestine. So, we are upbeat about the concert today.”