Starbucks new design is not promoting Islam but 'a symbol of unity'

According to the coffee chain, the new design is meant to denote “a symbol of unity.”

However, several people, including former UKIP candidate Raheem Kassam, took to social media to argue that the green colour was in some way associated with subliminally promoting Islam.

Last year I joked that next year would see the Starbucks cups adopt a green (colour of Islam) theme. At least I thought I was joking... https://t.co/eyerjyrDB7

— Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) November 1, 2016

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

@Starbucks Screw you. My coffee should NOT (and does NOT) come with political brainwashing. I dropped @Starbucks like a hot rock.

— #GoCubsGo (@RadioAnna) November 1, 2016

I can’t wait for the election to be over so we can get back to being angry about the colour of our Starbucks cups.

— Crooked Tabatha (@TabathaSouthey) November 4, 2016

Oh yes.. because Starbucks can single handily take Jesus out of Christmas with a cup...

— MacDoesIt // 22 (@Machaizelli) November 3, 2016

Get a load of this, people are actually convinced Starbucks is supporting ISIS and forcing Islam on America bc of their cups.... like yalll.

— H2(h)O(e) 🍗🍽 (@_juliabelle) November 3, 2016

To all those people who are mad at @starbucks for "promoting Islam" - coffee originated in Africa and was introduced by #Muslims #starbucks

— Noor Wazwaz (@nfwazwaz) November 3, 2016

I just read that Starbucks are trying to convert us all to Islam WITH THEIR CUPS. In other news...people's stupidity knows no bounds 🙄

— Anne Cupcake (@annecupcake) November 2, 2016

Every year a new anti-Islam outrage over Starbucks cups, yet the most offensive thing is always ignored—the insane price of Starbucks coffee

— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@MuslimIQ) November 3, 2016