The Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce removed a statue of the Roman God of love ‘Venus’ from a shopping mall, claiming it violated Sharia Law.

The statue was brought to the attention of the ministry after several citizens claimed it represented western values and religions.

The authorities responded to the complaints by removing the statue from the 360 Mall which is located in Kuwait’s South Surra area in Hawalli Governorate on Monday (16th August).

Local new site Prime Time Zone reports Kuwait officials stated the statute was being removed to “calm the public” and confirming that the statute “violates Islamic Law”.

Former MP Muhammad Hayef Al-Mutairi, Secretary-General of the Ummah Constants Association, welcomed the removal of the statute heaping praise on the officials who removed it.

A local activist, who was not identified, told local news site Erem News: “The presence of these objects is an explicit violation of Islamic law and their removal is obligatory.”

Local journalist, Muhammad Talal Al-Saeed, spoke out against the decision, saying: “The presence of statues does not mean compromising the Islamic faith.”

The Romans believed that “Venus” was the goddess of love, beauty, desire, sex, fertility, prosperity and victory.

The Romans adapted the myths and iconography from Venus’ Greek counterpart, Aphrodite.

Authorities didn’t make a statement on where the statue was destroyed or sent somewhere else to be displayed.