Kenyan businessman and fashion entrepreneur behind the shirt design adorned by US musician Jay Z is now facing backlash from a section of Muslims.
The t-shirt bearing a portrait of the Riyadha Mosque and Islamic Centre has angered the mosque’s management which has demanded an apology from Zeddie Lukoye, the designer.
With hundreds of millions of fans around the world, what Jay Z wears carries a lot of brand value not just for the designer but also for Lamu and Kenya in general.
The US rapper and business mogul was spotted leaving an entertainment joint in California dressed in one of Lukoye’s pieces.
The Mosque’s secretary-general Abubakar Badawy criticised the use of the portrait and termed it as disrespectful.
"We don't consider this an honour, nor a privilege, for the historical mosque and its founder Habib Swaleh for its imagery to be portrayed in such a way.
“Bars and clubs are an affront to the spiritual respect and dignity of the mosque, its founder, to the congregation, and the general Muslim community within and outside Lamu,” the Badawy wrote.
The mosque’s management also cautioned the designer against the use of certain cultures to promote something that is not in line with their beliefs.
"He should understand that what he did was wrong not only for Riyadha Mosque but Islam in general. You cannot associate a religious minaret with worldly things. You print a T-Shirt with a logo that might end up in clubs and bars. Let him apologize," Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics (CICC) chairman Mohamed Abdulkadir also weighed in.
Lamu Elder Alawy Abzein on his part called for the fashion designer to withdraw the mosque’s portrait from his collection and instead use other non-religious symbols to promote the county.
"We have so many symbols that promote Lamu. We have the seafront area, boats, and dhows. Using a mosque minaret was wrong. He should apologize and withdraw the photo of the minaret if at all, he respects Islam as a religion," he advised.
Riyadha Mosque is one of the oldest continuously functioning Islamic teaching institutions in East Africa.
