Katy Perry's new music video 'Dark Horse' is making headlines across the world for all the wrong reasons. An online petition has attracted nearly 60,000 signatures calling for YouTube to remove 'Dark Horse' from its site. Shazad Iqbal, of Bradford in the UK, launched the petition in the name of blasphemy, saying the treatment of an "Allah" necklace seen worn in the clip is offensive to Muslims.

Katy Perry
Looks Like Someone Didn't Learn From The Geisha Incident: Katy Perry Is An Egyptian In 'Dark Horse.'

The pop star plays a Cleopatra-type character in the video, which is apparently supposed to be set in ancient Egypt. An array of suitors are presented to her and she reacts by zapping them all into sand with lightning. It's not the zapping that the petitioners have taken offence at, it's what she zaps.

"The video is considered as highly controversial to its viewers as a result of its portrayal of blasphemy," writes Iqbal, explaining "At 01:15 into the video Dark Horse; a man is shown being burned, whilst wearing a pendant (also burned) forming the word 'Allah', which is the arabic word for God."

Watch Katy Perry's 'Dark Horse':

"Blasphemy is clearly conveyed in the video, since Katy Perry (who appears to be representing an opposition of God) engulfs the believer and the word God in flames," he adds, urging "people from different walks of life, different religions and from different parts of the world" to join in opposing the use of "the name of God in an irrelevant and distasteful manner."

The video needs a second watch to catch a glimpse of this minor costume detail which is indeed reduced to dust by the malicious Pharaoh Perry. Whilst all the internet clamour relates to the necklace being destroyed, we're wondering why the guy would be wearing it anyway: Islam hadn't been created by a long shot during the ancient Egyptian times and the Arabic language certainly wouldn't have been used.

Katy Perry Universal Music Group
The Pop Star Has Provoked Outrage After Destroying An Allah Necklace In Her New Video.

What's more: after Katy Perry was widely accused of racial appropriation after her AMAs performance where she dressed as a Japanese geisha, you'd think she'd lay of the whole impersonating other cultures thing. But here she is in 'Dark Horse,' pretending to be an Egyptian complete with some terribly historically accurate blue highlights, skimpy outfits and sarcophagus that opens up as-and-when to reveal her rapping pet, AKA Juicy J.

Plus, the last time we checked, Perry was a multi-millionaire and one of the biggest stars on Earth. Her new cheap, tacky, and tasteless video belies her talent as a singer and creative artist, whether it's the preschool glitter splattered on a cardboard chariot, or the random and confusing pole-dancing scene; it's all a bit B-Tech project circa 1999.

Katy Perry Leopard
Forget The Offensiveness: 'Dark Horse' Is Just A Terrible Song.

The blasphemy, the racism and the embarrassing historical accuracy all act as a veil for what is undoubtedly a rubbish, low-budget video. But while we're all distracted by our own outrage at what we see in the clip, Perry and co are sneaking a sub-standard, banal pop track into the charts thanks to that sure-fire sales rocket of notoriety.