KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — Vern’s, a shoe company, issued a public apology on Sunday, April 7, regarding its logo, which has drawn comparisons to the word ‘Allah’ on the sole of one of its shoes. The company clarified that it never intended to produce a logo design that mocked or offended any religion or belief, expressing the hope for an opportunity to rectify the mistake. In a statement posted on Facebook, Vern’s announced the immediate cessation of sales of the controversial shoe and offered refunds to customers who had purchased them.
The company emphasized the importance of meticulous decision-making to prevent such incidents in the future, acknowledging the need for greater attention to detail. A viral three-minute video sparked public outrage over the shoe, prompting Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar to instruct the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) to summon the concerned parties for further explanations. Mohd Na’im underscored that any actions deemed insulting to Islam would not be tolerated, urging calmness while Jakim and other authorities investigate the matter.
