Rihanna has been facing backlash from the Muslim community for using a song, which featured a sacred hadith, during Friday’s (October 2) Savage X Fenty fashion show. The 2017 song in question is titled “DOOM” and is by British producer Coucou Chloe, who also apologized for the vocal samples used.
RiRi responded early Tuesday (October 6) to offer up a deep apology to those offended by the song choice on her Instagram Story and promised something like this would never happen again.
“I’d like to thank the Muslim community for pointing out a huge oversight that was unintentionally offensive in our Savage X Fenty show,” she began. “I would more importantly like to apologize to you for this honest, yet careless mistake. We understand that we have hurt many of our Muslim brothers and sisters, and I’m incredibly disheartened by this.”
Rihanna continued, “I do not play with any kind of disrespect toward God or religion and therefore the use of the song in our project was completely irresponsible. Moving forward we will make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Thank you for your forgiveness and understand, Rih.”
@rihanna apologizes to the Muslim community. pic.twitter.com/f2QHwwRP2N
— I’m Not Having Fun (@LordTreeSap) October 6, 2020
Hadiths are sacred to the Muslim community and are usually sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. The narration found in “DOOM” speaks about the end of times and judgment day, but the track has been at least temporarily scrubbed from YouTube.
“I feel like islamaphobia is so normalised to the point where people are calling us dramatic for being mad when our religion gets disrespected,” one Twitter user wrote. “Hadith are sacred words of the prophet, they’re used to guide muslims & are second to only the Quran. rihanna should know better.”
i feel like islamaphobia is so normalised to the point where people are calling us dramatic for being mad when our religion gets disrespected? hadith are sacred words of the prophet, they’re used to guide muslims & are second to only the Quran. rihanna should know better.
— kirry?MAL DAY | dm limit ? (@ZARRYKISSY) October 4, 2020
Coucou Chloe claims she was unaware of the samples being used were associated with the Islamic faith.
“I take full responsibility for the fact I did not research these words properly and want to thank those of you who have taken the time to explain this to me,” she wrote. “We have been in the process of having the song urgently removed from all streaming platforms.”
I take full responsibility for the fact I did not research these words properly and want to thank those of you who have taken the time to explain this to me. We have been in the process of having the song urgently removed from all streaming platforms. 2/2
— COUCOU CHLOE (@coucou_chloe) October 5, 2020
The entire Savage X Fenty Vol. 2 fashion show is currently available to be streamed on Amazon Prime.