Some sad news I got off DeenPort this morning is that Qibla Cola, a Muslim competitor to the major cola brands, has gone into receivership. According to this BBC report, the two-year-old company blamed its collapse on "bottling and distribution problems", despite having recently signed a deal for distribution in LIbya, and also sellling drinks in Canada, the Netherlands, Norway and Pakistan.
Living in London and visiting the Muslim areas of town pretty regularly, I can attest to their limited distribution: hardly any shops ever sold it. You couldn't get it for love nor money most of the time. The same, in fact, goes for Mecca Cola (made by Arabs in France) and Zamzam Cola (Iranian). After a truckload of Mecca Cola was given away for free in Hyde Park during a rally, I asked every Muslim grocery on the Edgware Road if they stocked it, and none did. (I think one of them have stocked one of these brands since, but they didn't then.)
As for Qibla Cola, I saw it in one Indian take-away in the Golborne Road, W10, for a while, then stocks ran out and they weren't replenished (and then the take-away closed and the site was taken over by the Moroccan Grill). A Moroccan grocery, in the same street, sold two separate brands at different times, and then stopped. A grocery in Tooting did the same, and stopped both times (I asked why, and they said it didn't sell). I picked up a few cans (can't remember the brand) in a halaal butcher's shop somewhere in west London. The various restaurants and cafes around town have nearly always stuck to Coke and Pepsi, and this includes places which cater primarily to Asians. They haven't even offered Qibla, Mecca or Zamzam Cola as an option.
Is Qibla Cola's failure the fault of business, or of the wider community? On the one hand, we have scholars warning us not to buy American products; on the other, you get Coke (Zionist Cola!) out of 2-litre bottles at religious gatherings at which quite upright Muslims are present. But even so, I can't understand why Muslims don't seem to bother about keeping the "green pound" inside the community, and buying perfectly good produce from fellow Muslims instead of from vast multinationals. And why cannot Muslims replicate the success of the Asian soft drinks company Rubicon, which can sell its fruit drinks in corner shops everywhere?
There's water there for people to drink.
What is all this cola business.
If they want to invest, they can do better by investing in farms producing food.
These copycat investors, they copy everything. "Qibla Cola". I need a break
Qibla cola sucks. This whole idea of commercializing Islam is stupid. Just pray your 5 times daily, give dawat and die so we go to Jannah to taste the rivers of wine, honey and sweet milk.
I don't approve of all this boycotting. Suppose we infidels were to refuse to shop at the local minimarket because it is run by Muslims? How stupid would that be?
of course it is always good to buy things made in poorer countries so as to offset the imbalance created by the not-so-free-market-policies of the GATT nations.
Well I hope you Israel boycotters are not using wireless laptops, since this technology was developed by the evil Zionist entity.
Perhaps you should use some technology invented by the Palestinians instead. Wait a minute, though....
Neither do I approve of boycotting policies except in pecualiar instances such as Israel, and South Africa (in the past).
>I donâÂÂt approve of all this boycotting. Suppose we infidels were to >refuse to shop at the local minimarket because it is run by Muslims? >How stupid would that be?
Kaffirs always get the wrong end of the stick! When muslims legitimately resort to non-violent means of expressing protest we are racists?
For the record, both the Bodyshop and Ben & Jerry's ice-cream have jewish founders who share may of our political/egalitarian ideals, they make excellent products and I would recommend muslims use them.
M & S on the other hand can go to hell.
No, no, you got it wrong.
The Jews and Catholics are rather known for having the most children and biggest family size. Silence befits you, cos you reveal ignorance in every word.
More importantly, the problem is not in having many children. The problem is that some pests are interested in eating the rations of these children.
Are you a zionist Israel sympathiser?
Do you think what Israel is doing in that region is justifiable?
Have you been to that part of the world?
No, the Palestinians haven't invented any technology. They could barely invent the food to feed their children.
So, what should we do with the "case of Israel" (borrowing from the language of Roger Gauraudy).
Suicide bombing is obviously not the way of rationality. Even a boycot protest is unjust.
Perhaps we should just go and kiss their feet and offer flowers.
How about that, Kafir?
They could barely invent the food to feed their children.
If they had any brains they wouldn't have quite so many. But they haven't any brains.
Orthodox Jews certainly have large families. But they can feed them. Many Jews don't, and Catholics are increasingly ignoring the Pope's silly teaching on contraception. But the Palestinians, many of whom are living on handouts from Europe, have huge families then bleat about being poor. Dozy.
Binti Samba - what you say about Muslim science is true, but it's been a while, hasn't it? 8th to 9th century. Perhaps Islam was more dynamic then than it is now!!
Konsumer Kafir,
With all due respect may I just point out that the algorithms and pure mathematics that are the backbone of your wireless computers, and all other computers for that matter, were invented/founded by a Muslim -yes, really: Muhammad bin Musa Al-Khawarizmi (780-850 CE), infact "Algorithm=Al-Khawarizmi".
I have no problem with Jews or anyone else making advances in techonology and the sciences and nor should anyone else but please give credit where it's due.
Mmmmm, mango rubicon...
1000 years ago the world had 3 strong civilizations: The West, Islam and China. The reason why the West is supreme is that the other two were trashed by the Mongol Hordes. The West would have been trashed too had Ogadai not died on time...
"On the one hand, we have scholars warning us not to buy American products; on the other, you get Coke (Zionist Cola!) "
What evil stupidity you accept as fact! Do you also believe that 4 thousand Jews didn't go to work that day on 9/11?
(p.s. I assume by deleting my comments you admit you are incapable of debate. HOW surprising...)
Konsumer Kafir,
"what you say about Muslim science is true, but itâÂÂs been a while, hasnâÂÂt it? 8th to 9th century."
In science, the Principles can never change, only the models change. People are forever inventing more and more powerful models but you will find that the principles are the same ones established by muslim scientists and mathematicians in the 8th to 13th century.
"Perhaps Islam was more dynamic then than it is now!!"
I agree with you 100%.
Konsumer Kafir,
âÂÂPerhaps Islam was more dynamic then than it is now!!âÂÂ
I think the above was riducule on your part but I believe Islam was more dynamic in the 8th to 13th century than it's now so cannot take offense.
No, it wasn't ridicule, and I'm glad you agree.
"Orthodox Jews certainly have large families. But they can feed them...But the Palestinians, many of whom are living on handouts from Europe, have huge families then bleat about being poor. Dozy."
Incorrect comparison. Orthodox Jews in Israel can't sustain their large families on their own. They're getting subsidies from the Israeli government, and this feeds into the religious/non-religious divide in Israel.
Konsumer Kafir,
"Well I hope you Israel boycotters are not using wireless laptops, since this technology was developed by the evil Zionist entity."
Well kafir, perhaps you shoudlnt poo poo those who wish to boycott technology that is either Zionist, Japanese, Chinese, or whatever. Because for some people, though there are very few of these people left on planet earth, there are somethings more important (i.e. principles, values, religion, love of God and country, etc.) than modern conveniences.
For instance, if Nazi Germany were still around being the Euro bully, but they were a technologically advanced soceity with all kinds of exportable technology, and industry, would you think twice about doing business with them? Even if they were rounding up minorities, killing them, enslaving them, expirementing on them, would you think twice about trading and doing business with them, even if they were creating the lastest and most cutting edge technology?
Kafir, if you are a person of principle, which I doubt you are, you wouldnt, no matter what the benefits were because you would know, being a person of principle, that freedom, democracy, and the rule of law are more important than a German lap top.
Now I am in no way comparing any society or government today to Nazi Germany, but the idea is still the same. If Muslims most boycot Isreali goods because they disapprove of thier foriegn policies in relation to the Palis, than so be it.
COnsumer Kafir,
I cant believe some of the things that come out of your mouth. So when a few hundred years ago when AMericans had big families that increased thier poverty? It didnt silly. The fact of the matter is that the more industrialized your country is the more your children become a burden because they can no longer be a cheap source of labor. But if you want parents in rural India, or any other country that hasnt seen the benefit of industry and technology to have only one child, who will take care of the parents when they become sick or elderly. If there is so social security in a Sub-saharan African countries, who will take care of the elderly when there is only one or two children for every couple? Who will tend to the crops, gather the water, care for even younger children? Get a grip Kafir. Anthropology 101 will help you just fine.
Cross Kafir,
"Unemployment is a lot higher in the UK than for any other group."
Unemployment and ot wanting to work arent the same thing.
"Principles my eye. Muslims want Western technology but not the freethinking that goes with it, eg treating women like human beings."
Youre just acting out now. I really hate when you start going off on your tantrums. I must be doing something wrong. If Muslims want Western technology their priorities are very very screwed.
Orthodox Jews in Israel canâÂÂt sustain their large families on their own. TheyâÂÂre getting subsidies from the Israeli government, and this feeds into the religious/non-religious divide in Israel.
First off, I wasn't talking about Israeli Jews. Orthodox Jews in the UK and America work, they don't sponge off welfare like so many Muslims. (Unemployment is a lot higher in the UK than for any other group.)
Secondly Palestinians breed like rabbits at the expense of European taxpayers, since they live off handouts from the EU, and aid from the West generally. Rather than get their act together and work, they bleat about being poor. When they are not blowing themselves up on school buses in Israel.
Principles my eye. Muslims want Western technology but not the freethinking that goes with it, eg treating women like human beings.
Yawn...zionist sewage in the house I see. The same old tired and tried racist jewish tenets. kitty litter and fecalstein at their mediorce best.
Talking about "technology" as if the parasites invented anything......the only thing they've refined is the art of deception and living on western handouts as a failed welfare state of terrorists.
One reads Kafir's post, and you just say Alhamdulilah wa shukrulilah.
Alhamdulilah wa shukrulilah to you too! (Dunno what it means, but it sounds good.)
Nice that Binti Samba has good sense. There is hope for you Muslims yet!
Peace.
DrM,
I'd like to see what Yusuf does with your post since he has a penchant for deleting mine for very sinister reasons. Wa Allahu Alim.
Kafir's idea that Palestinians are ignorant and lazy, just having children and living off the government... is incredibly racist (the same thing that was/is said about blacks in the US, for example). And I don't have statistics, but in my own experience, Palestinians take education very seriously, and the family sacrifices to pay for that education. There are many well-known Palestinian intellectuals (Muslim and Christian), and for many years, Palestinians made up the bulk of the professional class in the Arab Gulf countries. They were the teachers, the engineers, the accountants, the doctors, etc.
I delete very few comments on the blog; these include spam, insults to Islam and flame wars. In the case of bikhair's post, it was because it gave publicity to well-known sites I don't care to give publicity to; in other cases, it's because they are trolls, insults and flames. I do not pay good money for hosting space so that people can curse each other and bicker like little children. Please, no more flames! You are all adults, aren't you?
Yet phrases like "zionist sewage" are allowed to remain. Typical...
Flanstein - don't worry about it. DrM is obviously somewhat fixated on bowel movements. 'Kitty litter', 'Fecalstein', 'Zionist sewage' - are there no higher things in life than bodily functions?
'We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.'
Well a quickie on Qibla it was all a marketing gimmick, they're all bunge of idiots i say, coca cola shallow cola qibla all after the capitalist dream of money. religion is the biggest trick played on mankind it is a mere justification a meaning to a meaningless existence.
ps: some of the the directors of qibla have previousely gone bankrupt do we see a pattern emerging???????
all are... wrote: "ps: some of the the directors of qibla have previousely gone bankrupt do we see a pattern emerging???????"
It's all too easy to go bankrupt in business. Those who try to start a new business after having gone bankrupt earlier are to be commended. Other people might be reluctant to try again (once bitten, twice shy), and opt for the easy route of working for someone else. But to get back on the horse again, so to speak, after having been thrown off is a sign of willingness and persistence, and I give credit to those people who do so.
There is probably also a serious brain drain that goes on in the ME and other places. When you can clock (make lots of money) in the Western countries, why wouldnt you?
Bro. Yusuf,
How wrong brother, how wrong.
Assalaamu alaikum,
Well, some Arabs like to go to Western countries to make money. Others prefer to live and raise their families in Muslim countries, and some Western Muslims also like to come and work in Muslim countries. So there are many foreigners working in the Gulf, more from Arab countries, but also many from the West and from other parts of the world.
What differentiated Qibla Cola from Coca Cola or Pepsi Cola? There have been many alternative cola's that have been unable to get market traction in the past (e.g. Virgin Cola, which had the marketing mussle of the Virgin Group behind it). Basically why should people choose Qibla Cola over the major players that are already known and liked?
does it matter that Muslims are wasting time developing and selling products that are not evn good for your health? I agree with the last comment about investing money in halal farms.... so many are getting sick and at serious risk buying that non-halal meat and meat by products. I think muslims shoudl dedicate more time to living accorind to their deen... focused on study, religious practice and unity/concensus among the ummah.
we have children that need to be educated, young men and women that need good spousese, households to maintain and alhamduliliah majority muslim nations taht need us to rebuild, rededicate adn reinvest in them....sigh...we can't afford to walk around in a daze like the others that worship money and movie stars.