Tunisian Nightclub Shut Down After Dax J Played a Muslim Call to Prayer Remix

This article originally appeared on THUMP.

A nightclub in the northeast Tunisian town of Nabeul was shut down this weekend after footage surfaced of a British DJ, Dax J, playing a remix of the Muslim call to prayer on Friday night. The footage caused an uproar on social media, and authorities have launched an investigation as well as detained the nightclub’s manager on the grounds of “violation against good morals and public outrage against modesty,” reports the BBC.

The governor of Nabeul, Mnaouar Ouertani, said that the club would remain closed until further notice. “We will not allow attacks against religious feelings and the sacred,” said Ouertani.

The incident took place during a show at El Guitoune nightclub as part of the second annual Orbit festival, which also featured sets from Radio Slave, DVS1, and more.

Dax J later issued an apology on his since-deleted Facebook page. “I want to offer my sincere apologies to anyone who may have been offended by music that I played at Orbit Festival in Tunisia on Friday,” he said. “It was never my intention to upset or cause offense to anybody.”

Orbit also issued a statement about the event on Facebook yesterday. “Dax J had no intention of provoking your anger or offending you,” they said. “It is clear, after his apologies, that Dax J is sincere and has no reason to hurt our dear festival-goers.”

In a previous version of Orbit’s statement, they said that they took no responsibility for any offensive music.