KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): Shoe manufacturer Vern’s Holding Sdn Bhd has apologised over the logo that appears on the soles of some of the shoes sold by the company that allegedly resembles the word "Allah" in Arabic.
In a media statement on Sunday, the company clarified that it had absolutely no intention of coming out with a logo that sought to belittle or insult any religion or belief.
The logo, it said, was "100% inspired" by the image of interconnected lines resembling the strap of a high-heeled shoe.
"However, we acknowledge that there are shortcomings in the logo's design that could result in it being misinterpreted, and thus offending the feelings of many parties," the company said.
Vern’s said it had taken immediate steps to stop the sales of the shoes and was willing to refund customers who had bought them.
“The management would like to humbly apologise to everyone and seek forgiveness," the company said, adding that it was hoping for compassion to allow it to rectify the mistake.
"This is a most valuable lesson for us to be more careful in all our decisions to ensure matters like this do nor recur," said Vern’s.
Earlier on Sunday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar instructed the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to seek an explanation from the relevant party over the controversial shoe logo.
Referring to the images of the shoe logo circulating on social media, he emphasised that the Prime Minister's Department for Religious Affairs would not compromise with any party proven to have acted in a manner that insults Islam.