Starbucks accused of 'promoting Islam' with new cups

Starbucks revealed its new green cup ahead of Election Day in an attempt to unify the country

Starbucks revealed its new green cup on Tuesday ahead of Election Day in an attempt to unify the country, but the colour of the cup has led some to believe that the global coffee chain is promoting Islam.



Starbucks claims that the only message behind the cup is that of unity. “Friends, baristas, and customers drawn in one continuous line —reminding us we're all connected,” a tweet from the official account of Starbucks reads.

Friends, baristas, and customers drawn in one continuous line—reminding us we're all connected. 💚 pic.twitter.com/qspqJc8KWB

— Starbucks (@Starbucks) November 1, 2016

Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz said, “The green cup and the design represent the connections Starbucks has as a community with its partners (employees) and customers.  During a divisive time in our country, Starbucks wanted to create a symbol of unity as a reminder of our shared values, and the need to be good to each other.” He added, “The imagery was created by artist Shogo Ota in a design intended to communicate “shared humanity and connection.”

But many took to Twitter to criticise the new cups, suggesting that there is a hidden political message behind the new design.

William Hicks wrote on Heat Street, “The giant coffee chain is calling this year’s monstrosity the “unity” cup... Hmm, what else is unified…. ISIS!!?! The unified caliphate of the Islamic State!”

Here's how some reacted to the new cups:

https://twitter.com/RaheemKassam/status/793579271797239813

One is the Starbucks “holiday” “unity” cup. The other is the official flag of the Arab League. Can u tell the difference? pic.twitter.com/BOhwRDOwdW

— Biff Diddle (@BiffDiddle) November 1, 2016

https://twitter.com/RadioAnna/status/793467698030211072

 

https://twitter.com/alanna_caitlan_/status/794400314145259520

Others pointed out the absurdity of the claim.

https://twitter.com/RustyTool/status/794387501313949696

https://twitter.com/mscottphifer/status/794380670038634496

https://twitter.com/meek_the_geek/status/793794169596735488

This is not the first time Starbucks has found itself at the centre of a political storm over the colour of its cups.



Last year, Christian evangelicals in America claimed the Seattle-based chain had declared “war on Christmas” by using a simple shade of red on its festive packaging. Joshua Feuerstein’s widely shared Facebook post about the issue has been viewed 16 million times since it was posted last November. “Starbucks isn’t allowed to say Merry Christmas to customers,” Feuerstein wrote. “Do you realise that Starbucks wanted to take Christ and Christmas off of their brand new cups? That’s why they’re just plain red.”

This article originally appeared on Huffington Post.