New Muslim Cola's takes the Pepsi- Challenge
Published on February 23, 2004 By EMacy In Current Events

Could my native Atlanta-based, Coca-Cola Inc., be challenged by these (2) new soft-drinks? This was the subject of a documentary I watched last night. I wonder. Imagine challenging the Coke market, appealing to Muslims, world-wide, a market-potential of 1 Billion plus.
Mohammed Haider, spokesman for theQibla Cola Company said, 'We are happy to participate in documentaries of this nature that demonstrate the emerging global trend amongst consumers for quality products founded on ethical principles. Consumers seek alternative brands to what many perceive as unethical and anti-competitive business practises of some large multi-naionals.'
Mecca Cola is the France-based competitor.
"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.
Mecca gives 10% of it's proceeds to Palestine ( he doesn't recognize the occupied land of Palestine as " Israel") Both fizzy drink companies are going for Coca-Cola's jugular vein.
Coke got it's foothold across the world during America's deployment to WWII. Coke thought every soldier should be sipping a Coke after a hard day on the front, so they gave it away. Almost like a dealer gives free samples to it's potential markets to snare their patronage.
Of course Coke's spokesman, the head of Pakistan Coca-Cola inc., admitted Coke was selling a "lifestyle" not a "religion" and showed no worry at the new competition saying perhaps Muslims will choose to drink it for altruistic reasons or for a short term_but he was confident Coke would be the winner in the long term.
" Liberate Your Taste"

Comments
on Feb 23, 2004
Hrm, wouldn't Mecca Cola be sacrilegious? It is hard for me to comprehend how upset people have to be to see Coke as a Zionist infiltration, but I guess it is one way of thinking of things. I wonder what Palestinian organizations he donates to, considering Hamas and the rest are considered 'relief' organizations there.

I think in the end stuff like this always falls to economics. If Coke tastes better and appeals to people, I don't think the whole 'combating imperialism' thing will take off.