The sports giant is being asked to recall the sneakers, with Muslims saying they have “insulted Islam”, reports the Daily Mail.
The outrage began when Muslim customer Saiga Noreen noticed what she believed was the Arabic word for Allah on the shoe. She immediately launched an online petition, demanding that the company remove the popular shoe from its worldwide market.
The petition, which has gained more than 6,000 signatures in just hours, blasts Nike for allowing God's name to be 'trampled, kicked and become soiled with mud or even filth'.
Currently, over 16,000 people have signed the petition, with a goal of 25,000 signatures.
Other supporters took to Twitter to express their outrage over Nike's allegedly blasphemous product.
The design features the words Air Max spelled out in a custom, joined-up font on the sole of the shoe, which was released last year.
In Muslim culture, showing the sole of your shoe is seen as the height of disrespect as it implies you want to hurt someone with it.
The shoe is considered dirty because it touches the ground and is associated with the foot, the lowest party of the body.
“It is outrageous and appalling of Nike to allow the name of God on a shoe. This is disrespectful and extremely offensive to Muslim's and insulting to Islam,” Noreen said.
“Islam teaches compassion, kindness and fairness towards all. We urge Nike to recall this blasphemous and offensive shoe and all products with the design logo resembling the word Allah from worldwide sales immediately.”
“We also request stricter scrutiny of products before they enter the market. I urge all Muslim's and everyone who respects the freedom of religion to sign this petition.”
Nike became embroiled in a similar controversy in 1997 when it was forced to recall thousands of pairs of Air Bakin' sneakers following outcry from Muslim customers.
Flame like letters with the word ‘Air’ written on the heel could be read as Allah in Arabic script.
However, Nike denied allegations it intentionally insulted the Muslim community, saying the logo was a “stylised representation of Nike's Air Max trademark” and had no religious significance, as reported by RT.
“It’s intended to reflect the Air Max brand only. Any other perceived meaning or representation is unintentional,” a Nike representative said.