Muslims around the world have slammed popular shoe brand, Nike, urging them to recall their Air Max 720 trainers because the logo on the sole allegedly resembles Allah in Arabic.
As at the time of filing this report, over 17,000 people have signed a petition by Saiqa Noreen, accusing the shoes of being ‘disrespectful and extremely offensive to Muslims and insulting to Islam’.
Ms Noreen said of the trainers launched in 2017,
‘Nike has produced the Nike Air Max 270 shoe with the script logo on the sole resembling the word Allah in Arabic, which will surely be trampled, kicked and become soiled with mud or even filth.It is outrageous and appalling of Nike to allow the name of God on a shoe.’
Ms Noreen added
‘Islam teaches compassion, kindness, and fairness towards all. We urge Nike to recall the 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.’
Nike said in a statement,
‘Nike respects all religion 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 indented to reflect he Air Max brand only. Any other perceived meaning or representation is unintentional.’
