The Black Eyed Peas perform on NBC's Today show at Rockefeller Center on June 12, 2009, in New York City. Their Muslim-free performance in Kuala Lumpur is scheduled for Sept. 25. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

The Malaysian government has barred Muslims from a Black Eyed Peas concert next month in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, because the event is sponsored by Irish beermaker Guinness.

Malaysia recently launched a crackdown against alcohol consumption among its Muslim majority.

"Muslims cannot attend. Non-Muslims can go and have fun," said an official at the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture.

The Guinness flagship brewery in Dublin is marking its 250th anniversary with worldwide celebrations, including concerts across Ireland and in at least five cities elsewhere.

The brewery is sponsoring the Black Eyed Peas to perform at a theme park near Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 25.

The hip-hop group has played in Malaysia before, including a concert in 2007 that all could attend. But the website for this year's concert says "the party is only open to non-Muslims aged 18 years and above."

Tourism boost expected

Government regulations forbid alcohol companies from organizing concerts in Malaysia, but an exception was made for this event because there were hopes it would boost tourism, the official said.

Guinness is forbidden from using its logo in concert publicity material, she said.

Ethnic Malays comprise nearly 60 per cent of Malaysia's 28 million people, and all are considered Muslim and subject to the religion's Shariah law.

Last month, an Islamic court sentenced a Muslim woman to caning because she drank a beer in a hotel lounge. Earlier this week, the sentenced was postponed after another court ruled it was too harsh.

North American performers have also run into trouble with conservative Muslim groups in Malaysia, with stars such as Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne ordered to dress in clothing that reveals very little skin.

With files from The Associated Press