![State Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Fared Khalid said the Kaaba's positioning was inappropriate for a mini prayer rug. (Facebook pic)](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.freemalaysiatoday.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F02%2Ff4c3d0a0-mohd-fared-mohd-khalid-fb-pic-transformed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
The agency seized 11 mats from an Aeon BiG Sdn Bhd outlet in Batu Pahat a day before Aidilfitri following public complaints that the images were being used on “floor mats”.
State Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Fared Khalid said that despite Aeon BiG’s explanation that the mats were actually mini prayer rugs which were mislabeled on the supermarket’s shelves, such a mix-up should never have happened.
“If you (the supermarket) know that the prayer rug is sacred, why place it together with floor mats?” Berita Harian reported him as saying.
“I want the investigation to continue… As the (head of the) enforcement and religious agency in Johor, I will prioritise my religion over their (Aeon BiG’s) statement.”
The Semerah assemblyman also said JAINJ had requested that Aeon BiG clarify their claim that the item was a mini prayer rug as the Kaaba’s positioning was inappropriate for such an item.
Fared said it was understood that the prayer rug was produced by a local Bumiputera company and as such, it would be “very embarrassing” if such companies were unaware about the proper prayer mat designs.
“I have never seen a prayer rug with the image of the Kaaba at the edge (of the rug) or half-way through it.”
“If an image of the Kaaba is to be placed on a prayer rug, it should be in the centre. If you don’t know how to design (a prayer rug), don’t do it.
“Ask JAINJ before selling (such items) or consult government agencies that are related to religion.
“We are very saddened that such issues are happening one after another… We will hold engagement sessions to prevent such incidents from happening again,” he added.
Last Saturday, Aeon BiG released a statement stating that its supplier used an item code previously used for other products, resulting in the product label carrying several descriptions and causing confusion.
Earlier this month, shoe company Vern’s Holding Sdn Bhd apologised for the logo design of a line of high-heeled shoes which the company said could be misinterpreted.
The company’s statement came after religious authorities called for an investigation into shoes bearing a logo purportedly resembling the Arabic script for the word “Allah”.
The shoes issue follows a controversy over socks bearing the word “Allah” found at a convenience store of the KK Mart chain, which has since apologised.
However, its founder and a company director have since been charged, accused of “intentionally wounding the religious feelings of Muslims”.
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