Tunisian authorities have shut down a nightclub after footage went viral of a DJ playing a dance track remix of the adhan – the Muslim call to prayer.
Video shared on Sunday from the Orbit Festival in the town of Nabeul sparked outrage and controversy on social media platforms.
The governor of Nabeul, Mnaouar Ouertani, said that the club would “remain closed” until further notice.
An official investigation has been launched into the incident.
The video footage shows clubbers at a party last Friday dancing to music played by two European DJs near the seaside resort of Hammamet.
The music included a dance version of the adhan which is the Muslim call to prayer.
Mr Ouertani said: “After confirming the facts, we decided to close this nightclub.”
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He said that the club’s manager had been arrested and held in custody “for violation against good morals and public outrage against modesty,” adding that an investigation was ongoing.
“We will not allow attacks against religious feelings and the sacred,” Mr Ouertani added.
On Monday, the organisers of the Orbit Festival apologised in a Facebook events page post, but said that they did not accept responsibility for the playing of any offensive music.
The post stated (in French) that the DJ “did not realise it might offend an audience from a Muslim country like ours”.
DJ Dax J, who played the “adhan remix”, later offered his “sincere apologies to anyone who may have been offended by music that I played at Orbit Festival in Tunisia on Friday”.
“It was never my intention to upset or cause offence to anybody,” he said.
It has been reported that DJ Dax J has been sentenced to 12 months in prison in absentia after fleeing Tunisia.
