KUALA LUMPUR – The Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) has seized 11 floor mats with the image of the Kaaba from a supermarket in Batu Pahat, Johor.
The seizure was made a day before Aidilfitri this week following public complaints, JAINJ chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid was reported saying by Berita Harian.
The department has summoned the supermarket’s management for an explanation and also warned it to be careful with the products sold to consumers.
Fared said JAINJ had confiscated the floor mats on Tuesday after receiving complaints and before photos of the item were shared on social media.
“Eleven floor mats with the image of the Kaaba were seized and we are currently monitoring throughout the whole state.
“We did not make any announcement on the matter earlier out of respect for Aidilfitri celebrations,” Fared added.
A reel can be found on TikTok showing a green floor mat etched with the outline of what appears to be the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site at Al-Haram mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and the direction to which Muslims pray.
The mat is placed at the top of a pile of other mats inside what appears to be a supermarket display bin.
Prior to Hari Raya, tensions were high over the sale of socks with the word “Allah” at a KK Mart outlet, followed by claims of the same word being used as a design on the soles of shoes by local brand Vern’s.
Top management figures from KK Mart and its supplier Xin Jian Chang Sdn Bhd have been charged in court for offending Muslims, while shoe company Vern’s Holding Sdn Bhd has apologised for the misunderstanding over its logo design, which it said was not intended to resemble the word “Allah.” – April 13, 2024