Pop star Madonna has claimed she was attempting to be "ironic" when she referred to President Barack Obama as a "black Muslim" during a concert.
Madonna, a supporter of the president issued a statement attempting to explain her comment made during a show in Washington, D.C.
"I was being ironic on stage. Yes, I know Obama is not a Muslim – though I know that plenty of people in this country think he is. And what if he were?
"The point I was making is that a good man is a good man, no matter who he prays to. I don't care what religion Obama is — nor should anyone else in America," the star said.
During Monday's performance, Madonna said, "Now, it's so amazing and incredible to think that we have an African-American in the White House ... we have a black Muslim in the White House ... it means there is hope in this country, and Obama is fighting for gay rights, so support the man," Madonna said.
Obama, who stands for re-election on Nov. 6, is Christian. Since Obama's first presidential run in 2007, fringe groups and a scattering of opponents have promoted rumors that he is Muslim, similar to talk that he is not a natural-born U.S. citizen.
Madonna has been outspoken in her support of the president. According to media reports, at Monday's show and at a New York City concert earlier this month she ripped off her shirt to reveal the word OBAMA inked across her lower back.
The singer, 54, currently on the North American leg of her tour for her latest studio album "MDNA," has been grabbing headlines recently for her onstage antics.
She landed in hot water with France's far right National Front party after screening footage of their party leader Marine Le Pen with a swastika superimposed on her face during one of her Paris concerts in July. The National Front said it would sue the star.
In August, Madonna spoke out at concerts in Russia for gay rights and in support of jailed members of punk rock band Pussy Riot.
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