TORONTO – Walmart apologized Friday after it came under fire for telling customers: “Shock your friends with this Islamic costume.”
“We are deeply sorry, that this costume made it onto our website,” Brooke Buchanan, senior director of Walmart Corporate Communications, told Global News. “Walmart is in the process of removing the costume from the site and actively urging all other retailers to do the same.”
Walmart pulled the Men’s Pashtun Papa costume after many social media users deemed it racist.
“Shock your friends with this Islamic costume,” read a description of the costume on the retailer’s website.
Here’s what the full description of the costume read Friday morning:
“Represent the Middle East in this Mens Pashtun Papa Costume this Halloween season. Whether you’re making a serious political statement or staging a polical (sic) parody, this authentic-looking outfit is sure to fit the bill!
Our Afghan Pashtun Papa Costume features a long-sleeved beige top, matching beige pants, brown vest, Turban to match the vest and long grey beard. Nothing is sacred this Halloween. Shock your friends with this Islamic costume.”
Buchanan said the costumes were never sold in stores and were only for purchase online through a third party vendor.
Friday afternoon, the retailer said it “suspended the vendor” responsible for the costume.
Walmart’s ‘Arab Sheik Halloween Costume’ also came under fire Friday and was removed.
“Not planning on a trip to the Middle East anytime soon? You don’t have to leave the states to be a Shiek (sic) Arab,” reads the description on the chain’s website. ” The disguise is impeccably close to the real Arab wardrobe that they wear during everyday life. You’ll surely delight in this Shiek (sic) Arab Costume!”
Earlier this week, Walmart was forced to apologize for briefly labelling plus size costumes as “fat girl costumes” on its website.
The company apologized on Twitter.
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