Malaysian shoe company faces backlash for logo resembling Arabic word for God
In a statement posted on social media, Vern’s Holdings expressed regret over the design's shortcomings and clarified that there was no intention to belittle or insult any religion or belief. The company has taken immediate action to stop sales of the shoes and has promised refunds to customers who purchased them.
The controversy comes on the heels of a recent incident involving socks printed with the word «Allah» being sold in a major Malaysian convenience store chain. The owners of the store chain, KK Mart, along with representatives from one of its suppliers, were charged with offending the religious feelings of Muslims. The incident sparked outrage, leading to some stores being targeted with small petrol bombs, although no injuries were reported.
Religion is a sensitive topic in Malaysia, where Muslims make up two-thirds of the population of 34 million, alongside significant ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities. The Arabic word «Allah,» meaning God, is considered sacrosanct by Malaysian Muslims, who found the association of the word with feet offensive.
The controversy surrounding Vern’s Holdings' logo was brought to light by social media posts highlighting its resemblance to the Arabic word for God. Following public complaints, religious authorities and police have initiated investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, tensions persist over the earlier incident involving KK Mart. The store chain's management has claimed that the supplier sent items
