PETALING JAYA: Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Kamal, the chief of Bersatu Youth, has expressed his concern over the controversy surrounding a shoe with a logo that some claim resembles the word “Allah” in Arabic script. He believes that this issue has painted Islam in a negative light, making it appear petty and paranoid. Wan Ahmad urged fellow Muslims to avoid succumbing to paranoia and to refrain from viewing everything as a challenge to Islam.
In a post on Sunday (Mar 7) night, Wan Ahmad emphasized the importance of approaching such matters with knowledge rather than blind emotion. He highlighted the distinction between this shoe controversy and previous cases, such as socks imprinted with the word “Allah”, where the offence was clear. In this case, Wan Ahmad noted that the logo itself does not clearly violate Islamic law or intend to insult Islam.
The former deputy minister for national unity also called on media outlets to avoid sensationalizing the issue for the sake of attracting more readers. He stressed that Islam should not be associated with ignorance or stupidity. The controversy began with a viral three-minute video on social media in which a man claimed that the shoes he bought had a logo resembling the word “Allah”.
In response to the backlash, Vern’s Holding issued an apology on Sunday (April 7) evening, acknowledging that some individuals might have found the graphic offensive. The company clarified that the logo was actually a stylized design of a high-heeled shoe with straps. Vern’s Holding also announced that it would stop selling the shoes in question and offer refunds to customers who had purchased them.
By 7pm on Sunday (April 7), eight police reports had been filed on the matter. In a subsequent development, law enforcement authorities seized a total of 1,145 pairs of shoes in various locations including Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Kedah. Despite the confiscation, no arrests were made.
