Tens of thousands of Moroccans ignored conservatives' calls to ban pop music legend Elton John from performing Wednesday (May 26th) at the Mawazine Festival in Rabat.

"It's the first time I've been to Morocco and I'm really happy to come to Rabat to sing," the singer told the 40,000-strong crowd, whose size contrasted sharply with the opposition Justice and Development Party's (PJD) call to drop the performer for being gay.

The famed singer delivered a two-hour concert and appeared to be at the height of his powers despite 40 years in show business, sailing from one song to the next.

"Since my earliest childhood, I've sat down with my father to listen to songs by my favourite singer, Elton John. I can't believe that I'm now actually seeing him live," said 22-year-old Samir Mourabiti, who travelled to the concert from Kenitra.

Mourabiti's father Moha told Magharebia that he had fond memories of Elton John from the 1970s and 1980s.

"This iconic performer's classic songs remind me of my younger days. I have almost all of his CDs at home. It was a great idea to invite him to the Mawazine Festival," he said.

The Mawazine Festival invites artists on the basis of the quality of their performance on stage and their artistic career, and is not interested in their private lives, festival artistic director Aziz Daki told Magharebia.

The festival has become a symbol of cultural diversity by hosting artists from different cultural backgrounds.
Young and not-so-young fans of the singer of hits like "Sacrifice" did not share the view of the PJD.

"We're Elton John fans and always will be. What really matters to us is not his private life, but his own particular artistry," 23-year-old student Ilham Menouri said, adding that Morocco has chosen the "path of openness to the world" and cannot turn back just because of "obscurantist ideas".

Mohamed T., an engineer, said that its impossible to judge someone on the simple basis that they are different from you, especially when that person is a great artist.

To prevent any unpleasant surprises during the concert, special security measures were arranged to protect the world-famous singer. No incidents were recorded, despite the massive crowds.