Sir Elton John gig banned in Egypt

British pop icon Sir Elton John was banned from performing at an upcoming private concert in Egypt.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the 63-year-old singer, who is openly homosexual, was apparently barred from performing at the May 18 show by the head of Egypt's Musician Union because of his "anti-religious sentiments."

The head of the union, Mounir al Wasimi said to a foreign news agency that Sir Elton's claim that Jesus was gay and his demand for Middle Eastern countries to allow sexual freedom amongst gays was ridiculous.

The multimillionaire star sparked off controversy in February, when he commented that there was no tolerance for homosexuals in the Middle East.

"I don't know what makes people so cruel. Try being a gay woman in the Middle East -- you're as good as dead," The New York Post quoted Sir Elton as telling US magazine Parade.

He also claimed Jesus was a "super-intelligent gay man" who "understood human problems."