The Johor State Islamic Affairs Department (JAINJ) today revealed that it seized 11 floormats bearing the images of the Kaabah from a supermarket in Batu Pahat on Tuesday (9 April).
As reported by The Sun, Johor State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalis asserted that the floormats were confiscated following complaints by the public.
Mohd Fared Mohd Khalis
Fared further revealed that the supermarket, AEON BiG was inspected and monitored on the eve of Aidilfitri after complaints from the public and the floormats themselves going viral on social media. The supermarket chain has also been called up to provide explanations and warned to exercise caution over the products they sell to avoid offending sensitivities.
He further stressed that monitoring is ongoing throughout Johor and that statement wasn’t made earlier to respect the Hari Raya celebration and to alleviate public concerns.
AEON BiG clarified that the ‘flooormats’ are actually prayer mats
Well, less than 24 hours later, AEON BiG released a statement regarding the matter to clarify that the whole situation was just a misunderstanding as the ‘floormats’ are actually prayer mats for Muslims hence why there are images of the Kaabah on them.
The supermarket chain further revealed that it was made aware of the issue on 9 April 2024 and immediately gave full cooperation to JAINJ.
The statement added that the supplier involved in the product, A&R, is a 100% Bumiputera and Muslim-owned Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) which is in the business of supplying modest Syariah-compliant clothing such as prayer robes, hijab, kurta, samping, songkok as well as products such as prayer mats, carpets and rugs.
A&R has since confirmed that the product in question is indeed a mini sejadah (prayer mat), given that the design is a vertical format which is a common practice.
The misunderstanding arose after A&R used an item code previously used for the company’s various other products. As a result, the label tagged onto the product carried several descriptions, thus causing confusion.
This matter was immediately rectified in AEON BiG’s stock management system and the description of “Sejadah” on the said prayer mat has since been reflected.
AEON BiG thus hoped that the statement could clear any doubts on the issue and hoped that there would not be any further speculation.
So, what do you guys think of the whole situation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
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