Fans of the controversial Lebanese rock band Mashrou' Leila ("Leila's Project") will have to look beyond the Byblos International Festival this month to see their favorite band on stage. On July 30, Byblos organizers gave in to pressure from online groups, church officials and politicians and announced the cancellation of the Aug. 9 performance of the band at the festival, citing a desire to “prevent bloodshed and maintain security and stability.”

The band members, who have gained international fame over the last 11 years, had recently been accused of defaming Christianity through their music and online presence and have been interrogated by Lebanese State Security about the matter.

Although the musicians were eventually released without charge by the Mount Lebanon prosecutor, the pressures the band has faced signify a departure from Lebanon’s history of tolerance for free expression. The case is part of a growing pattern in Lebanon where laws against defamation and incitement are being used to threaten individuals. According to activists and researchers, Mashrou’ Leila’s growing fame and the band’s critical perspective on Lebanese social and political issues have made it a target for political and religious officials as Lebanon’s establishment seeks to defend itself against its critics. 

Since July 17, a Christian page on Facebook called “The Soldiers of God,” which now appears to be deleted, had claimed that the band was defaming Christian symbols and promoting homosexuality - the band's lead singer, Hamed Sinno, is one of the few openly gay singers in the Arab world.