'Just DON'T do
it!' Thousands of Muslims demand Nike withdraw 'insulting' Air Max trainers
'that have Allah written on the sole'
Daily Mail
Connor Boyd For Mailonline
© 2018 SOPA Images KIEV, UKRAINE - 2018/12/14: Nike
Footwear manufacturing company logo seen displayed on a smart phone. (Photo by
Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Outraged Muslims are demanding Nike recall an 'offensive'
line of trainers because the logo looks like Allah's name in Arabic.
Saiqa Noreen launched a petition to pull the Air Max 270
shoe and has accused the sportswear giant of 'blasphemy'.
The petition, which has gained more than 6,000 signatures
in just hours, blasts Nike for allowing God's name to be 'trampled, kicked and
become soiled with mud or even filth'.
© Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Outraged
Muslims are demanding Nike recall a line of trainers because the design looks
like Allah's name in Arabic
The design features the words Air Max spelled out in a
custom, joined-up font on the sole of the shoe, which was released last year.
In Muslim culture showing the sole of your shoe is seen
as the height of disrespect as it implies you want to hurt someone with it.
The shoe is considered dirty because it touches the
ground and is associated with the foot, the lowest party of the body.
'It is outrageous and appalling of Nike to allow the name
of God on a shoe. This is disrespectful and extremely offensive to Muslim's and
insulting to Islam,' Ms Noreen said.
© Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Ms Noreen
said it was 'outrageous and appalling' to have God's name written on the sole
of the shoe where it can be 'trampled, kicked and become soiled with mud or
even filth'
'Islam teaches compassion, kindness and fairness towards
all. We urge Nike to recall this blasphemous and offensive shoe and all
products with the design logo resembling the word Allah from worldwide sales
immediately.
'We also request stricter scrutiny of products before
they enter the market. I urge all Muslim's and everyone who respects the
freedom of religion to sign this petition.'
Read more: UK has a
serious Islamophobia problem, MPs warn (The Independent)
Nike became embroiled in a similar controversy in 1997
when it was forced to recall thousands of pairs of Air Bakin' sneakers
following outcry from Muslim customers.
Flame like letters with the word 'Air' written on the
heel could be read as Allah in Arabic script.
© Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Nike became
embroiled in a similar controversy in 1997 when it was forced to recall
thousands of pairs of Air Bakin' sneakers with the word Air written on the heel
Ms Noreen added: 'After recalling trainers in 1997, which
had a similar logo depicting the word Allah, Nike claimed to have tighten
scrutiny on logo design. So why has a similar design been approved?'
A Nike spokesman said: 'Nike respects all religions and
we take concerns of this nature seriously.
'The Air Max logo was designed to be a stylised
representation of Nike's Air Max trademark. It is intended to reflect the Air
Max brand only.
'Any other perceived meaning or representation is
unintentional.'
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