KUALA LUMPUR – Bank Islam’s latest advertisement intended to promote its digital service has instead sparked a cultural debate over appropriate mosque attire.
The viral video, featuring a football jersey with a St George’s Cross, has divided netizens and raised questions about religious symbolism in fashion.
The 1-minute 40-second video, filmed at the Bandar Seri Putra Mosque, features an individual entering the mosque to pray while wearing a Barcelona football jersey adorned with the St George’s Cross.
In the video, another person stops the jersey-clad individual from entering the mosque, explaining that the attire is deemed inappropriate for mosque prayers because it displays the cross, a symbol prominently featured in many football club logos.
Originally intended to promote Bank Islam’s new digital banking service, Be U, the video instead ignited a broader cultural and religious debate, highlighting the need for Muslims to be mindful of the symbols and messages on their clothing during prayers.
The clip, which garnered thousands of views and shares, focused on the cross, overshadowing the promotional intent of the video.
Despite the controversy, netizens had mixed reactions to the underlying message.
One user on social media platform X, @___4kim, argued that all types of displays on shirts should be considered when deciding what is appropriate to wear to a house of worship.
“It’s not just a jersey with a cross logo, but a shirt with a picture of a living being, no matter if there’s a picture of an artist, anime, etc.,” commented the user.
Bukan baju jersey yg ada logo salib je tapi baju2 yg bukan jersey mcm baju yg ada gambar makhluk bernyawa tak kiralah ada gambar artis, anime dan sebagainya pon sama tak boleh.
— MH 🍃 (@___4kim) June 13, 2024
Another X user, @IrfanCoReEdge, shared that he would also advise youngsters against donning clothes with random graphics.
“For me, I would tell off young people about wearing Man Utd jerseys, not because I’m a Liverpool fan, but even if I support Celta Vigo I still wouldn’t wear jerseys with those pictures. Are you wearing a Man Utd jersey in the mosque to invite the devil in that jersey to pray with you?”
Bukan salib je, malah yg bernyawa. Macam aku tegur budak2 pakai jersey man utd, bukan sebab aku liverpool, kalau aku sokong celta vigo pun tetap tak pakai jersey yg macam2 gambar ade. "Kau pakai jersey man utd dlm masjid nk ajak setan kat jersey tu solat sekali ke dik?" 🤣
— ❌🚭🇵🇸 (@IrfanCoReEdge) June 14, 2024
Meanwhile, @afiqmijad appreciated the reminder to be conscious of religious values in everyday choices.
“In the content of this reprimand, we ponder together and try to practise it. It is hoped that the (mosque) committee members will all take note of the reprimanding method shown in this video. Public members like us are not perfect, but please help to remind us patiently.”
Dalam pada isi teguran ni kita renungkan bersama dan cuba amalkan, diharap pihak AJK yg perfect semua ambil iktibar juga cara² menegur yg ditunjukkan dalam video ni. Org awam macam kami ni tak perfect, sebagai AJK yg perfect, bantulah utk mengingatkan dgn sabar…
— Afiq.11 (@afiqmijad) June 13, 2024
With the start of Euro 2024 today, football fever is sweeping across nations, and fans are wearing their favourite team jerseys.
The mosque’s message comes at a particularly relevant time, urging Muslim football enthusiasts to consider their faith while enjoying the sport. – June 14, 2024