Akon Responds To 'Sexy Bitch' Protests

Following angry protests, a stoning and a “We Hate Akon” Facebook campaign, Akon has released a statement regarding the controversy surrounding his “Sexy Bitch" music video.

In the video, women in bikinis are seen dancing around a pool with the Buddha statue visible in the background. Offended by the image, protestors in Sri Lanka accused Akon of misrepresenting their Buddhist religion.

About two-hundred people gathered outside the Maharaja Organization--where Akon's concert sponsors worked--on Monday (On March 22) to protest against the singer performing in Sri Lanka. The rally members reportedly threw stones at workers and vandalized cars.

Today, the country denied Akon the Visa he needs to enter the country and perform, explaining in a statement that the video “triggered a lot of disappointment among Buddhists all over the world."

Akon responded in a statement, “I was not aware that the statue was even on the set of the video until now. I would never set out to offend or desecrate anyone’s religion or religious beliefs... I myself am a spiritual man, so I can understand why they are offended, but violence is never the answer and I am disheartened."

Akon's team is fighting to allow the singer into the country to perform. --Linda Hobbs