H&M recalls socks after shoppers spot 'Allah pattern'

30 Jan 2018

NEWSWATCH: Swedish clothing retailer H&M has recalled a line of children's socks after complaints from shoppers that a pattern on them appeared to resemble the word Allah written in Arabic.

Image credit: Daily Express

The Sun reports that the design was intended to be a Lego figurine holding a jackhammer, but turned upside-down the squiggly tip of the jackhammer looks like the ancient language.

H&M has apologised, saying that the incident is entirely a coincidence.

According to Swedish state radio SVT, Petra Buchinger, a press officer at H&M said: “The print on the sock depicting a Lego figure, which looks like 'Allah' in Arabic, is entirely a coincidence, but because our customers have complained, we have chosen to recall the items.”

“At H&M we always aim to offer products that we believe our customers will appreciate. The print on this sock represents a Lego figurine, any other meaning is coincidental and we apologise if this motif has offended anyone.”

The recall comes weeks after the fast fashion retailer was accused of racism after it used a black boy to model a hoodie with the slogan "coolest monkey in the jungle” printed on it. The incident sparked outrage on social media, leading to a number of South African stores being vandalised.

H&M has since appointed company insider Annie Wu as "global leader for diversity and inclusiveness for H&M Group".