CONTROVERSIAL sports shoes which have offended Muslims because of a logo resembling the word Allah will not be going on sale in Britain, Nike said yesterday.
The company has apologised for the logo and agreed to recall the shoes worldwide after a threat to boycott Nike products by the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
The Washington-based Islamic advocacy group said the logo, which was meant to represent a flame, resembled the Arabic script for the word Allah or God.
Under the written agreement between Nike and the Council, as well as apologising and recalling the shoes, the company pledged to work with the council to improve the company's understanding of Islamic issues and donate a £31,000 playground to an Islamic school in the US. In exchange, the council will urge Muslims worldwide not to boycott Nike products.
Nike spokesman Roy Agostino said company officials are pleased with the settlement. He said it was the first time that Nike has recalled a product.
The logo was to be used on a line of shoes to go on sale this summer with the names Air Bakin, Air Melt, Air Grill and Air B-Quet
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