Tunisia nightclub shuts down after Muslim call to prayer dance remix sparks outrage

Authorities in Tunisia have closed down a nightclub after a video showing the DJ of the club playing a remix version of the Muslim call to prayer emerged online.

The video, which was shared on Sunday (2 April) from the Orbit Festival in the north-eastern town of Nabeul, has sparked an outrage on social media. It showed people dancing on the remix version of the call to player, the religious act that Muslims perform five times a day, the BBC reported.

The music was played by two European DJs near the famous seaside resort of Hammamet, a town in Tunisia, on a Friday night party.

Mnaouar Ouertani, the governor of Nabeul, said the club would "remain closed" until further notice.

"After confirming the facts, we decided to close this nightclub," he added.

According to reports, an investigation has been launched into the incident. The club's manager was detained "for violation against good morals and public outrage against modesty".

"We will not allow attacks against religious feelings and the sacred," Ouertani said.

Meanwhile, the Orbit Festival's organisers have apologised for the incident on Monday on the event's Facebook page. However, they said that they did not hold themselves responsible for the playing of any insulting music.

The DJ "did not realise it might offend an audience from a Muslim country like ours," they said in the online post.

Dax J, who played the remix track of call to prayer, has also said sorry, saying "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 added.