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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Cola Alternatives - take your pick |
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| Saffiyah |
| 02/06/03 at 18:31:36 |
| [img]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38672000/jpg/_38672053_300boss.jpg[/img] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2640259.stm By Verity Murphy BBC News Online Coke is no longer it. Or at least it won't be if Tawfik Mathlouthi has anything to do with it. Mr Mathlouthi is the French entrepreneur behind Mecca Cola, a new soft drink designed to cash in on anti-American sentiment around the world. He hopes to make Mecca Cola the soft drink of choice for Muslims everywhere and thus push out that icon of American capitalism Coca-Cola. It is all about combating "America's imperialism and Zionism by providing a substitute for American goods and increasing the blockade of countries boycotting American goods," Mr Mathlouthi told BBC News Online. It is not the first time Coca-Cola has been the target of a "buy Muslim" challenge. Zamzam Cola, an Iranian drink named after a holy spring in Mecca, has won an enthusiastic reception in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Coca-Cola has dismissed Mr Mathlouthi's move, saying he had "identified a commercial opportunity which involves the exploitation in Europe of the difficult and complex situation in the Middle East". "Ultimately it is the consumer who will make the decision," the company said in a statement. Boycott protest Popular anger against the United States over its support for Israel amid the Palestinian intifada has sparked a campaign to boycott American products throughout Arab countries. US exports to Saudi Arabia declined by more than 40% in the first three months of 2002. Coca-Cola admits that along with other businesses, it has "felt some impact of such boycotts," though it does not elaborate. The company insists that it is "not affiliated with any religion or ethnic group" and does not engage in politics. Demand for bottles of Mecca Cola - which bear the slogan "No more drinking stupid, drink with commitment" - is already soaring. Launched in France just two months ago, the drink is now being exported to Britain, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain. Next week the Scandinavian countries Sweden and Denmark will join the club, Mr Mathlouthi said. And in one month's time the drink will go on sale in the Middle East for the first time. Huge demand Mr Mathlouthi says that two million bottles, each holding 1.5 litres, have already been sold and the demand for advance orders has been phenomenal. "We have orders for 16 million bottles and in England alone orders for two million bottles a month," Mr Mathlouthi said. The first businesses to sell Mecca Cola were what Mr Mathlouthi described as "small ethnic shops in Muslim areas". But now the drink can be found on the shelves of large cash and carry supermarkets in France, Belgium and Germany. Profits to charity One of the main attractions for buyers, Mr Mathlouthi says, is the fact that 10% of the profits go to charities operating in Palestinian territories and 10% to European NGOs. When asked how the company ensures that the money it provides to Palestinians does not get channelled into terrorist activities Mr Mathlouthi says the aid is never given directly as cash. "We give help by providing clothes and goods, or by paying the costs of the construction of schools there," he said. "If we give money we give it to Unicef," the United Nations Children's Fund, he added. The other 10% is passed on to NGOs based in Europe who are working to promote peace around the world, he said. Mr Mathlouthi is not concerned that his incendiary "Don't drink stupid" logo may encourage anti-American sentiment, a growing problem worldwide. "It is not my problem, it is the problem of the US administration. If they want to change anti-US sentiment they must change their policies and their double standards on human rights and politics," he said. [img]http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38775000/jpg/_38775639_qibla-150.jpg[/img] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2720803.stm Islamic cola launched in the UK A British company has entered the Islamic cola market, hoping to emulate the success of Mecca and Zamzam colas. The Derby-based Qibla Cola Company produces regular and diet versions under the catch line "Liberate your taste". "The founder Zahida Parveen had the idea from the growing sentiment against global brands and resentment against them in the Muslim world," company spokesman Abdul Hameed Ebrahim told BBC News Online. "We are not saying boycott these other goods, but we are offering an alternative," he said, despite company promotional material that highlights a boycott. 'Ethical' Managing director Zafer Iqbal denied anti-Americanism lay behind the brand. "The whole basis for the company is ethical," he said. "The product is promoting an anti-injustice approach, an anti-exploitation approach." It is not the first time US giants Coca-Cola and Pepsi have been the target of a "buy Muslim" challenge. Zamzam Cola, an Iranian-made drink named after a holy spring in Mecca, and France's Mecca Cola have both reported strong sales in Muslim communities in the Middle East and Europe. Taste test "Obviously they gave us some ideas but we don't see ourselves as competitors," Mr Ebrahim said. Qibla - named after the Arabic word for the direction of Mecca - has contracted a Yorkshire soft drink maker to produce an initial run of a quarter of a million bottles for its first week of business. "We did consumer tests with all the major brands, including Mecca, and the taste is in between Coke and Pepsi," Mr Ebrahim said. The cola - with very similar label designs to those of Coke - will be marketed to Muslim communities in major cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford and Glasgow. "Our distribution network is primarily focused on Muslim areas and will deliver to takeaways and corner stores," he said. Little experience Mecca Cola - which bears the slogan "No more drinking stupid, drink with commitment" - sells about two million 1.5 litre bottles every month in Britain. Launched in France just three months ago, the drink is also being exported to Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain. Qibla's spokesman, who admits the directors hare no experience in the soft drink market, said the company is financed by Muslim businessmen. He declined to name them. The company is working with Islamic Aid and will donate 10% of profits to Muslim charities. |
| Re: Cola Alternatives - take your pick |
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| Saffiyah |
| 02/06/03 at 18:42:13 |
| I personally would recommend something better for ur ;D teeth |
| 02/12/03 at 10:42:37 |
| Saffiyah |
| Re: Cola Alternatives - take your pick |
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| sister2sister |
| 02/12/03 at 08:41:43 |
| Although I can't stand cola, more power to the brother!!!!!! YSII :-) |
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