A US-based designer has apologised for using a portrait of a historic mosque in Kenya's island of Lamu on a T-shirt worn by celebrity Jay-Z, an official in charge of the site has told the BBC.
Riyadha Mosque's leaders had objected to the T-shirt as it could be worn to "sacrilegious joints" like bars.
"We have accepted the apology letter because it was done in good faith," the mosque official said.
Designer Zeddie Loky reportedly produced the T-shirt to promote Lamu.
The BBC has contacted him for comment.
Lamu is a Unesco-listed World Heritage site and the 19th-Century mosque is a top tourist attraction.
It has manuscripts dating back to 1837, and is one of the oldest continuously functioning Islamic teaching institutions in East Africa.
Worshippers became angry when they saw WhatsApp group photos of US-based music mogul Jay-Z wearing a T-shirt with a print of the mosque, said Abubakar Badawy, the secretary general of Riyadha Mosque and Islamic Centre.
Watch and learn more about the iconic #Lamu Riyadha Mosque on Jay Z’s t-shirt and the man behind it 👉🏾 https://t.co/a9x0YMrhyJ#TETE #HabibSwaleh pic.twitter.com/iyIq9H2Zv0
— Omar Kibulanga (@OmarKibulanga) April 3, 2021
Jay-Z was spotted in the T-shirt as he left a restaurant in Santa Monica, California, on 30 March, CNN reported.
"Many people were angry about this and thought that the officials running the mosque were involved," Mr Badawy said.
It prompted him to write a public letter to Mr Loky, the chief executive officer of clothing design company Blkburd Genes.
The letter said that worshippers "actually feel insulted by the photos of Jay-Z wearing Blkburd Genes T-shirt portraying our Riyadha mosque".
"Rest assured we neither consider it an honour or privilege for the historical mosque and its founder Habib Swaleh," the letter said.
It added that "when wearers of these T-shirts end up in bars, clubs and at all sorts of sacrilegious joints" then it was an "affront" to those who revered the mosque.
Mr Badawy said he had since received a letter from Mr Loky, promising to remove "all inappropriate portrayals".
The letter said the T-shirt had been part of a collection to celebrate Lamu.
"Our intention was in good faith and in line with our mission of educating the world in world history using HD art, bold fine print and a QR code that carries our finding history on Lamu," it added.
The letter said that only 20 T-shirts, retailing for $195 (£141) and marked sold out on his website, had been produced for "celebrity friends and their family".
They would be advised not to wear them in bars and clubs, it added.
Mr Badawy told the BBC that mosque officials were satisfied with the apology because there was "no malice" on the designer's part.
"We need to forgive and be tolerant," he added.
Latest Stories
-
Paris 2024: Opening ceremony showcases grandiose celebration of French culture and diversity
3 hours -
How decline of Indian vultures led to 500,000 human deaths
4 hours -
Paris 2024: Ghana rocks ‘fabulous fugu’ at olympics opening ceremony
4 hours -
Trust Hospital faces financial strain with rising debt levels – Auditor-General’s report
5 hours -
Electrochem lease: Allocate portions of land to Songor people – Resident demand
5 hours -
82 widows receive financial aid from Chayil Foundation
5 hours -
The silent struggles: Female journalists grapple with Ghana’s high cost of living
5 hours -
BoG yet to make any payment to Service Ghana Auto Group
5 hours -
‘Crushed Young’: The Multimedia Group, JL Properties surprise accident victim’s family with fully-furnished apartment
6 hours -
Asante Kotoko needs structure that would outlive any administration – Opoku Nti
6 hours -
JoyNews exposé on Customs officials demanding bribes airs on July 29
7 hours -
JoyNews Impact Maker Awardee ships first consignment of honey from Kwahu Afram Plains
8 hours -
Joint committee under fire over report on salt mining lease granted Electrochem
8 hours -
Life Lounge with Edem Knight-Tay: Don’t be beaten the third time
8 hours -
Pro-NPP group launched to help ‘Break the 8’
8 hours