Rihanna to Perform in Northern Cyprus

(A.W.)—On Sept. 7, singer Rihanna is scheduled to perform at the inauguration of the luxury Fashion Castle Hotel in the town of Kyrenia in Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus. Greek Cypriots and sympathizers have begun a campaign to prevent her performance there.

According to the Vatan, Rihanna is a personal friend of hotel owner Yilmaz Bektas.

Some sources have claimed that Rihanna will be joined by singer Justin Timberlake in a free concert that will celebrate the construction of two hotels in Kyrenia. Timberlake will be paid $2 million; Rihanna will get half that amount.

Last month Jennifer Lopez canceled her performance at the opening of Cratos hotel following pressure and criticism. Her concert was scheduled for July 24, a few days after the anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Her publicist was quoted as saying, “Jennifer Lopez would never knowingly support any state, country, institution, or regime that was associated with any form of human rights abuse.”

Cyprus became divided after the Turkish invasion in 1974. Turkey is the only country that recognizes the northern portion as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.