LETTER | A Bersatu leader was reported saying that the design of a shoe logo, viewed as resembling the Arabic script for the word Allah, has made Islam “look very petty and bad”.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal also said Muslims should not be so paranoid as to think that everything is a challenge to Islam.

As a non-Muslim, I very much welcome the statement. I think the most important elements in any investigation, be it shoes or socks, should be based on “deliberate intent” and “saboteur” viewpoints.

We should not hesitate to throw the book at those who deliberately try to create chaos by poking at religious sensitivities. Hence investigations by the authorities must consider unintended mistakes, innocent parties along the supply chain, and dreadful coincidences.

Resorting to immediate action such as boycotts and other physical threats without knowing the actual guilty parties is bad practice. It could cause harm to innocent people and the collapse of businesses.

As far as I know, it is almost impossible to check every item for “religious sensitivities” sold in a store. Rationally, no owner is foolish enough to carry such an item to destroy his or her business.

For these reasons, investigation must always focus on deliberate intent and sabotage. Are those involved in making and distributing the offensive items knowingly and wilfully participate in the evil scheme?

The authorities should trace the source of an offensive product or the origin of an offensive design. Investigate their backgrounds and find out their motives and political and religious inclinations.

Once the source is traced, the authorities could then establish whether there was a link between the originators and the distributors. If there is a collusion between them, then take action, by all means. Otherwise, many innocent parties will be hurt, which is bad for the country’s harmony. That is what the saboteurs hope for.

We know that ignorance of the law is no excuse. I just hope that reasonableness and good sense prevail. Can a store or shop owner know all? Can a designer envisage all?

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.