Images

Chinese retailer Shein apologises for selling Muslim prayer rugs as decorative mats

Chinese retailer Shein apologises for selling Muslim prayer rugs as decorative mats

"We immediately removed the products from our website and asked our vendor to stop selling to others," shared the online brand
07 Jul, 2020

Online retailer Shein came under massive scrutiny past weekend after a post about them selling Muslim prayer mats as decorative rugs went viral.

A photo posted by Instagram (@instagram) on

Taking to social media, many consumers expressed their distaste, claiming that they were disgusted at the religious insensitivity and horrified that the seller was profiting off selling holy mats as "fringe trim Greek fret carpets" despite them having a picture of the Holy Kabah and mosques on them.

And they're repeat offenders!

Following the backlash, the brand took the listings off their website and followed with a public apology on Instagram, stating that it was allegedly an oversight on their part.

A photo posted by Instagram (@instagram) on

"To our community - we made a serious mistake recently by selling prayer mats as decorative rugs on our site. We understand this was a highly offensive oversight and are truly sorry," the note read. "Since it was brought to our attention, we immediately removed the products from our website and asked our vendor to stop selling to others."

The brand also agreed to rectify its mistake by informing consumers that they found a "product review committee" with staff from "different cultures and religions" to make sure this doesn't happen again.

"As a global brand, we vow to do much better in educating ourselves on different cultures, religions and traditions to ensure our diverse community is respected and honored. We offer our sincerest apologies to all whom we have hurt and offended and hope we can earn your forgiveness."

Already feeling bad for members of this product review committee who will keep having to explain and dissect cultural appropriation for their employers (and probably still not get through).

Comments

Misbah Jul 07, 2020 02:03pm
Iron brother true colors
Recommend (0)
SayNoToPlastics Jul 07, 2020 02:05pm
A prayer mat is just an article of convenience for example to provide some comfort or protection from cold flooring . It has no religious significance . It is strange that some manufacturers have to decorate it with images of the Haramain or mosques which some might find offensive. A very simple way to deal with the situation is not to buy rugs with images on them .
Recommend (0)
Sameera Jul 07, 2020 03:07pm
Nothing new. Inside story of China.
Recommend (0)
Taimur Jul 07, 2020 03:19pm
Did our provincial and national assemblies pass resolution against it. Hypocrisy is at peak
Recommend (0)
Multani Jul 07, 2020 09:18pm
Very insulting, China has enough Muslims to understand its significance.
Recommend (0)
jaredlee007 Jul 08, 2020 02:22am
Glad they apologized. But I wonder why they did not pay attention to this matter when they planned to sell it to the entire globe. They did pay attention to profit margin, but literally ignored the sentiments of more than a billion people on this planet.
Recommend (0)
Awalmir Jul 08, 2020 06:55am
China does not believe in any religion.
Recommend (0)
Dayanand Jul 08, 2020 07:21am
I sit on these mats for long hours in meditation. They are so comfortable.
Recommend (0)
Khurram Jul 08, 2020 08:06pm
I can't believe that people running such large business can't understand the meaning of such detailed images. Very offensive.
Recommend (0)