Kanye West gets criticized for ‘disrespecting Islam’ with name of new shoe range
Kanye West, the American rapper is being criticized for “disrespecting Islam” with the names of his new Yeezy Boost sneakers.
The presidential candidate has launched the new line of shoes earlier this week— the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Israfil and Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Asriel, which are named after the Islamic angels of music (Israfil) and death (Asriel).
YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ISRAFIL. AVAILABLE AUGUST 22 IN ASIA PACIFIC, EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA AT https://t.co/SNOmpVaWg8, ON THE ADIDAS APP IN SELECT COUNTRIES, AND IN SELECT ADIDAS STORES. pic.twitter.com/TqUvKf2ion
— adidas Originals (@adidasoriginals) August 17, 2020
The name of the new shoe line stirred chaos on social media as users slammed the rapper for the disrespect shown to Islam.
“Dear @Adidas I am gonna STOP buying and using your products if those Kanye West’s newest shoes’ names aren’t changed because it IT DOES NOT RESPECT Islam,” one user wrote.
Dear @adidas I am gonna STOP buying and using your products if those Kanye West's newest shoes' names aren't changed because it IT DOES NOT RESPECT Islam. #ShameOnKanyeWest #ShameOnYeezy
— saymyname (@tsn_37) August 23, 2020
“Very disrespectful,” one Twitter user wrote. “Adidas is disrespecting Islam. Israfil is one of the four angels in Islam. Shame on @adidasoriginals and @kanyewest” wrote another user.
Very disrespectful. Adidas is disrespecting Islam. Israfil is one of the four angels in Islam. Shame on @adidasoriginals and @kanyewest
— Tariqul Islam Jewel (@TariqulJewel) August 22, 2020
A petition has also been signed for the brand to change the name of the shoes.
“It has came to the attention of the Global Muslim community that Adidas has allowed the production of a shoe that is named after an archangel in Islam,” read the petition.
“Until further notice, we request all Muslims to boycott adiddas products, cease all sale of adidas products by any Muslim owned 3rd party retail shops until adidas ceases the production of this commodity,” the petition added.
