Religious extremists are thought to have put off Bristol concert-goers by claiming music is the work of the Devil. The group of Somali men handed out leaflets as a band was due to play at the Casablanca club in Stokes Croft.

The Somali band AAR had expected a large crowd for the gig, on August 20, but hundreds of people failed to show, which cost the club owners £800 in lost takings. Hasa Nour, from the London-based band, said the protesters verbally abused women and told concert-goers that they would go to Hell.

He said: "We are Somali and Muslim, but we do not agree with what these people were saying.

"We had to call the police in the end because these people were shouting at women and telling people that music is the Devil's work."

The extremists' leaflet claimed: "On Judgement Day Allah will reward those who went astray and those on the right path respectively.

"You will be asked what you have been doing on August 20.

"What will be your answer, 'Oh Allah, I was partying in Bristol'? Dear brothers and sisters, don't follow the call of the devil, it only leads to Hell."

Source: This is Bristol, Sept 13, 2005