NEW YORK: American rapper Kanye West has been accused of disrespecting Islam after naming his new Yeezy Boost sneakers after the Islamic archangels.
Earlier this week, Adidas unveiled the new line of shoes: the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Israfil and Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Asriel. The shoes had been named after the Islamic angels of music and death.
Israfil is one of four archangels in Islam. He is usually depicted with a horn, which he will blow on the day of judgement. Asriel is Islam’s archangel of death and is said to transport the souls of the deceased after they have passed on.
The announcement was met with a lot on social media as users blasted the rapper for the disrespect shown to the religion.
“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,” added another.
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 (@SeptianaTri3) August 23, 2020
Apart from that, a petition has also been started for the brand to change the name of the shoes. “It has come 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 Adidas products, cease all sale of Adidas products by any Muslim owned 3rd party retail shops until Adidas ceases the production of this commodity,” it added.
This follows accusations of cultural appropriation against West’s wife, Kim Kardashian. Last year, Kardashian announced a line of shapewear under ‘Kimono’. In response to the backlash, Kim changed the lines name to SKIMS.
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