Muslims Burn Super Mart For Selling ‘Allah’ Socks
By Dailytab24.
Muslims in Malaysia have torched the entrance of KK Super Mart chain store for selling socks with ‘Allah’ written on it. The socks went up for sale during the month of Ramadan, which is a holy month for Muslims.
Although the chain store’s entrance was the only place torched, it passes a clear message of potential big attack, which could lead to closure or burning of the entire store.
The attack was suspected to have been carried out by angry Muslim faithfuls who believe the Super Mart offended their religion by using the word Allah on a socks.
Malaysia has majority of Muslims, with two third of the entire population of Islamic religion. Malaysians with Indian root also practice Islamic religion. Being the predominant religion in the country, blasphemy is seen as a serious crime punishable by mob action.
When one is accused of Blasphemy, Islamic faithfuls often take laws into their hands, with claims that government often show leniency or the constitution often handles such case against its rightful punishment.
The KK Super Mart had been charged to court for hurting the feelings of Islamic religious faithful, but Muslim faithfuls are not satisfied with the move, hence a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the entrance of the store and caused damage on Saturday.
The Malaysian police said they have opened investigation into the attack. The KK Super Mart had previously apologised for the socks, but their apology was not taken, as social media helped to accelerate negative sentiments against the store. The photos of the socks that circulated on social media caused anger, with Muslims saying it’s an insult to their religion.
They believe the name Allah should not be used on footwears. But KK had no intention of hurting the feelings of Muslims, according to the company, it was not deliberate as they pleaded not guilty to the charge against them. The court will quickly hear the matter and decide. The law stipulates one year prison term with fine for such crime if proven in court.
Wan Mohamad Zahari Wan Busu said that the incident caused a small fire, “but not denying that it may be related to the incident involving stockings with the word Allah” he said to AFP news agency.
Other persons in the company were charged with the executive. The store is Malaysian second-largest mini-market chain. There have not been any previous incident of this nature. The company also showed remorse and have taken down the socks from their shelves in respect of the feelings of Muslims across the country.
The company explained that the socks were imported from China with normal commercial intent. It also accused competitors and their collaborators of trying to use the incident to sabotage or discredit their brand.
“Problematic socks were part of a larger shipment of 18,800 pairs ordered” the supplier said.
Muslim faithfuls are complicated when it comes to whatsoever they deem insulting or blasphemous. Often, social media is used to incite the public which leads to harm.
Malaysian police is on investigation and expected to announce arrest, as the culprits have no provision within the law to take laws into their hands.
