Russell Brand cancels Middle East shows because of lack of security

British comedian Russell Brand was about to kick off his international Messiah Complex tour in the Middle East, but he said today that he’s had to cancel those shows. He was told that there simply won’t be enough security to protect him.

While speaking with the BBC’s Radio 5 live, Brand said that gigs in Abu Dhabi and Lebanon have both been cancelled.

“Those gigs have been banned, pulled because of threats from extremists that if I went there there would be problems,” Brand, who often mocks Jesus and Gandhi in his stand-up, said on the program. “The venue contacted us and said we can no longer guarantee your safety.”

According to Entertainment Weekly, Brand suggested that the tour poster, which makes him look like a Christ figure with several religious icons around his neck, may have played a role.

“The image by the brilliant artist Shepard Fairey depicts me as looking a little Christ-like....so there's an indication that it might be offensive,” he suggested. “If you are in some sort of fundamentalist group and Google my name and watch a few things on YouTube you might just think 'don't bother having him here.’”

Brand’s tour will now kick off in the U.S. He also has dates scheduled in Canada, the U.K. and other venues around Europe.

Brand had tried to promote the tour during an appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, but the interview went viral because he criticized the way the anchors were treating him and how they cover the news. For some reason, the anchors decided to make fun of him and he had to keep reminding them he was sitting right there. Watch the incident below:

image: Twitter

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