This is mostly what I've heard about the insult-factor associated with shoes, soles in Islam:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-the-shoe.html
"The shoe is such an offensive symbol that it is seen as culturally rude to cross an ankle over a knee and display the sole of the shoe while talking to another person.
"The shoe is also considered unclean in the Muslim faith and believers must remove them before prayers.
"Wearing shoes in mosques is forbidden.