Although they have stopped short of issuing a fatwa, conservative Muslim clerics in Malaysia have attacked the symbolism of Manchester United’s trident-wielding red devil on the club’s crest. Muslims have been told that devils are their enemy and by wearing or accepting a gift of the shirt they would be promoting the devils.
Although they have stopped short of issuing a fatwa, conservative Muslim clerics in Malaysia have attacked the symbolism of Manchester United’s trident-wielding red devil on the club’s crest. Muslims have been told that devils are their enemy and by wearing or accepting a gift of the shirt they would be promoting the devils.
Malaysia and other predominantly Mulsim countries in Asia such as Indonesia are important sources of support for United. There is an official merchandise shop in Kuala Lumpur and United have been trying to build up support in the large Indonesian market.
Several other shirts have been declared un-Islamic because they bear the image of the Cross. These include the Barcelona club strip and the national kits of Brazil, Norway, Portugal and Serbia. However, the strongest objection is made to United’s kit.