KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — A Muslim woman claimed to have bought a piece of cloth imprinted with the image of Jesus Christ from a local store here, and suggested there may be ulterior motives in its availability in the market.

Aizawati Che Salleh, who is in her 40s, said she had bought the three-metre-long cloth at a store in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman with the intention of making clothes for the upcoming Syawal celebrations, Malay daily Sinar Harian reported today.

“Usually, before buying, I will first look at the quality and pattern but everything seemed fine. But upon returning to the office, my friend noticed the hidden pattern,” she was quoted as saying by the daily, which also described her as a “victim”.

She questioned the motive behind the sale of the cloth.

“I asked non-Muslim friends for their opinion, and they were also puzzled because they do not wear cloths that have the image of Jesus as it involves religion and is sensitive.

“Hopefully, this matter can be investigated and consumers will be more careful because that store is quite popular, and most of the Muslim customers want to buy cloth to prepare for Aidilfitri,” the media liaison executive at a private firm was quoted as saying.

Aizawati, who said she was a frequent visitor to the cloth store, reportedly does not plan to return the item.

“Maybe, I will refer this matter to the Muslim Consumers Association for their further action,” she was quoted saying.

Sinar Harian did not name the store, but showed a close-up of the cloth that appeared to carry an image of a shepherd with a sheep.