Petition says Nike shoe insulting for Allah-like logo

By Umar Farooq</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – Thousands of people have signed a petition to recall a Nike shoe because a printed design resembles the Arabic word for God. </p> <p>The Nike Air Max 270 sparked criticism online after it was found within the Air Max branding on the bottom of the shoe was a script that resembles the word Allah in Arabic.</p> <p>More than 14,000 people signed a Change.org petition, created two weeks ago by Saiqa Noreen, calling for the company to recall the shoe.</p> <p>The petition stated it is offensive to Muslims because the word Allah would be stepped on, kicked and could become soiled with mud and filth.</p> <p>&quot;It is outrageous and appalling of Nike to allow the name of God on a shoe. This is disrespectful and extremely offensive to Muslim’s and insulting to Islam. Islam teaches compassion, kindness and fairness towards all,&quot; Noreen said on the petition.</p> <p>She demanded Nike &quot;recall this blasphemous and offensive shoe and all products with the design logo resembling the word Allah from worldwide sales immediately.&quot;</p> <p>The company responded saying it is looking into the matter and emphasized any perceived meaning of the Air Max logo is unintentional.</p> <p>&quot;Nike respects all religions and we take concerns of this nature seriously,&quot; Nike told the Today talk show on the NBC network. &quot;The AIR MAX logo was designed to be a stylized representation of Nike’s AIR MAX trademark. It is intended to reflect the AIR MAX brand only. Any other perceived meaning or representation is unintentional.&quot;</p> <p>Nike was embroiled in a similar controversy in 1997 when it printed its &quot;Air&quot; logo on the back of its shoe in a style that resembled the word Allah in Arabic, and was forced to recall the product.