Islamists in Zanzibar have forced the cancellation of a birthday celebration for Freddie Mercury of the rock group Queen. (Hat tip: LGF readers.)

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania (AFP) - Organizers of a 60th gala birthday party for the late Zanzibar-born rock star Freddie Mercury, have cancelled the weekend event after outraged Muslims threatened to disrupt it.

Faced with fierce opposition from Islamists, who complained the flamboyant Queen lead singer’s lifestyle was offensive to many on the overwhelmingly Muslim archipelago, organizers said they had no choice but to call it off.

“We have decided to cancel the party after misleading and erroneous information was spread about it,” said organizer Simai Mohamed Saidi, who runs a Freddie Mercury theme restaurant in the capital.

“I urge Muslim groups in the future to seek correct information from us instead of relying on rumors,” he said in an open letter.

Right. Good luck with that.