Rod Stewart Refuses To Pay Big Concerts In Saudi Arabia For Human Rights Violations

Rod Stewart (Instagram @sirrodstewart)

JAKARTA - Rod Stewart revealed he turned down a big offer to appear in Saudi Arabia due to human rights issues in the country.

The rock legend was offered the largest amount of money in his career to appear in the Middle East, but was rejected for royal discrimination against women, LGBTQ+ groups, and the press.

I am grateful to have the choice to appear in Saudi Arabia or not. So many residents there have very limited choices... women, the LGBTQ community, and the press. I want my choice not to go... to highlight the injustice there and trigger positive changes," Steward told the Daily Mirror.

A source close to the singer People Get Ready told the Daily Mirror he used a moral kompas in making decisions, adding: Rod is determined to do the right thing and can't accept the offer, no matter how much money is offered. There are some things that are more important.

This isn't the first time Stewart has used a moral kompas to reject a show. He previously revealed he refused nearly $1 million to appear in the Qatar World Cup, because it's not true.

"I was actually offered a lot of money, more than 1 million, to play there 15 months ago," Stewart told The Sunday Times.

"I reject it," he said. It's not true to leave. And Iran must also go out to supply weapons.