An outspoken Muslim cleric is either warning or threatening fans planning to attend the upcoming concerts planned by openly gay entertainer Elton John, who spoke out in support of Russia’s embattled LGBT community.

“Divine retribution for taking part in a hotbed of sodomy will fall both on those who attend the concert and those who perform there,” said Seidzhagfar Lutfullin, the imam of a mosque in the Volga city of Kazan, where Sir Elton will perform in December.  The city has a large ethnic Tatar Muslim community.

The cleric is known for such outspoken statements.  He also posted a message on the mosque's website calling the British singer “the devil's work.”

Elton John and other western Pop stars such as Madonna and Lady Gaga have criticized Russia’s recent lurch towards open and violent homophobia.  Many performers simply refuse to play there.  But Elton will play concerts in Moscow and Kazan in support Russian gay people despite uncertainty about his reception.