Elton John performed at the Mawazine Festival in Rabat on Wednesday night, despite a call for his concert to be banned by Morocco's main opposition, the Islamist Justice and Development Party. Elton John performed at the Mawazine Festival in Rabat on Wednesday night, despite a call for his concert to be banned by Morocco's main opposition, the Islamist Justice and Development Party. (Abdelhak Senna/AFP/Getty Images)

Elton John's Moroccan fans gave the British pop icon a warm, rapturous welcome in the city of Rabat on Wednesday night, despite a political group's criticism of his presence in the north African country.

"I thank Morocco, the royal palace and the festival for inviting me. I am proud to be singing in Morocco," John said in French as he launched into a three-hour performance at the Mawazine Festival.

The 63-year-old, who performed hits like I'm Still Standing, Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word and Candle in the Wind, did not make any reference to the controversy over his visit to the French- and Arabic-speaking nation.

Organizers of the event, the country's largest music festival, reported that more than 40,000 people attended the evening concert, which also had the support of the ruling government and the royal palace. Other estimates put the crowd at 15,000.

The Islamist Justice and Development Party (also known as the PJD), Morocco's main opposition party, has criticized the concert over the past few weeks, saying that allowing the world-famous, outspoken and openly gay entertainer to perform would pose "a risk of encouraging homosexuality in Morocco," and serve as a negative influence on the country's youth.

Aziz Daki, artistic director of the Mawazine Festival, repeatedly refused to cancel the show, saying that organizers select artists "on the basis of the quality of their performance on stage and according to their artistic career," and that John's sexuality and private life was his own business.

This year's lineup features Arab music stars as well as internationally reknowned acts such as B.B. King, Angelique Kidjo, Harry Connick Jr., Carlos Santana, Mika, Julio Iglesias and Sting.

Because of the protests by the PJD, mounted police, undercover officers and dozens of security guards staffed Wednesday night's concert. However, there were no demonstrations, riots or disturbances, according to Rabat's governor, Hassan Amrani.

The Mawazine Festival continues through Saturday.

With files from The Associated Press