Madonna said she was being deliberately "ironic on stage" when she erroneously referred to President Barack Obama during a concert in US capital as a "black Muslim".

A video clip posted on YouTube by audience members at the Verizon Centre in downtown Washington captured the 54-year-old singer delivering a rousing, profanity-laced political speech about freedom during her show on Monday.

"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, campaigning to be re-elected on 6 November is widely known to be a practising Christian.

Responding to a media furore unleashed by the YouTube video, Madonna issued a statement on Tuesday through her spokeswoman saying her reference to Obama's religion was facetious.

"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," she said.

guadian.co.uk