BTS leader RM responds in the hardest way over Islamophobic accusations

BTS leader RM, also known as Kim Namjoon, found himself amidst controversy when he shared Frank Ocean's soulful track, "Bad Religion." This led to the hashtag ‘RM APOLOGISE TO MUSLIMS’ trending as fans accused him of being Islamophobic due to the song's lyrics.

Now, during a recent Weverse Live, RM, opened up about the backlash he received for sharing the song, and clarified: “You guys keep saying that I humiliated a religion, but I didn't. My intent wasn’t to insult any religion & I’d have respect for all beliefs & religions." 

He further added, “I am fully aware of what's happening on Instagram. I can see it, but there wasn’t any intention to offend any religion. It's a song. So I am not gonna apologize. I'm 30-years-old & have the privilege to express my truth. A word is a word. Don’t assume!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking abt, just keep telling me that I insulted a religion, but I didn’t…
I respect every beliefs & religion… It’s a song, okay? I’m not apologizing…
Please believe my words - from myself. Not just guessing… assuming.”
-@BTS_twt Namjoon#BTS #RM pic.twitter.com/le9vmEtAOr

— Sari Setiogi Griberg (@setiogi) August 30, 2023

For unversed, disappointed fans accused RM of being Islamophobic due to the song's lyrics, particularly its use of the phrase "Allahu Akbar." 

Some expressed their disappointment, with one social media user stating, “I really used to love Namjoon and his taste in music but this song is so disrespectful to Islam, even if the singer of the song means something else, how could he use 'Allah Akbar' as a lyric?! I'm so disappointed in you RM. NAMJOON APOLOGISE TO MUSLIMS. RM APOLOGISE TO MUSLIMS.”

Notably, the controversy over “Bad Religion” lyrics has been there since its release in 2012.