Designer says Allah artwork was used on socks without permission

The designer of the Allah logo used on socks that sparked Muslim outrage last week has condemned the product manufacturer for inappropriate use of his artwork.

According to Abdulaziz Sahin, from Turkiye, the company that produced Miranosock had used the logo without his permission and it was disrespectful of them to use it on socks.

“I became aware of the issue through the messages I received on my Behance profile. My works were used without permission.

“This incident was mentioned in two messages I received. This is pure theft and disrespect,” he said in an emailed statement to Malaysiakini.

Behance is an art-focused social media platform.

Saying the controversy had also affected him as the person who designed the logo, Abdulaziz expressed his hope that those responsible would be held liable by the justice system.

“I hope the judicial authorities will complete the necessary legal and criminal process as soon as possible.

“It deeply affected me that my works were used without my permission and that they used them disrespectfully without considering religious sensitivities.

“I strongly condemn those who do this,” he said.

Malaysiakini had contacted Abdulaziz for comments after netizens pointed out in an online discussion that the logo was his artwork.

The controversy surfaced two weeks ago when images of the socks bearing the word Allah being sold at KK Mart’s Bandar Sunway outlet went viral on social media.

Following the uproar, KK Mart apologised to all its customers, particularly the Muslim community, and confirmed that immediate action had been taken to halt the sale of the socks.

This included terminating its contract with its local supplier Xin Jian Chang.

The supplier, in turn, blamed manufacturers in China for wrongly sending the socks to it, which it then overlooked.

On the other hand, mass police reports were lodged following initial police inaction.

One of those spearheading the police report campaign was Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

The case had gone to court on Tuesday when authorities pressed criminal charges against the two companies and five directors. - Mkini