ISLAMABAD – Nike is facing a backlash from thousands of Muslims who claimthat a new shoe produced the US sportswear giant is “appalling” andblasphemous as it has “Allah” inscribed on the sole.

The logo on Nike’s Air Max 270 trainers, which were released last year,features text in a custom font.

However, an eagle-eyed Nike customer noticed that this logo has a somewhatreligious feel to it. An online petition, launched by Saiqa Noreen, saysthat it resembles the word “Allah” in Arabic script.

“It is outrageous and appalling of Nike to allow the name of God on a shoe.This is disrespectful and extremely offensive to Muslim’s and insultingto Islam. Islam teaches compassion, kindness and fairness towards all,”reads the petition, which has so far racked up shy of 6,000 signatures.

Some long-time Nike employees probably remember that their company wasembroiled in a similar controversy two decades ago. Back in 1997, Nike wasforced to recall thousands of pairs of Air Bakin’ sneakers following aninternational outcry from Muslim customers, who said the word “Air”on their logo, written in flame-like letters, could be read as “Allah”in Arabic.