Category: Trends
Thailand: Chulalongkorn introduces “Halal Thailand” application
The application is available on Android and iOS devices and can be activated by a barcode scanning system for QR codes or by putting in the Halal number into the system.
Turkey: Pardon My Turkish: Battle for ‘Halal’ Words
At taste of the life from what used to be the centre of the Islamic world. In Turkey, for the last couple of years, a battle of “halal” words has intensified.
Middle East: Sin Free Ale
DEDICATED drinkers may struggle to see the point of non-alcoholic beer, but it is growing in popularity around the world. Last year 2.2 billion litres was downed, 80% more than five years earlier.
Top 10 reasons Halal is on the rise
Halal has become a fast-growing global phenomenon in the food industry, gaining ground in manufacturing, food service and retail. Here are ten reasons why Halal will continue to move more and more into the spotlight.
Opinion: Muslim consumerism
Muslim consumerism is linked to real economy sectors. Dubai’s vision for Dubai as an Islamic economy led by Muslim consumerism and supported by halal industry companies and Islamic and conventional banks.
UK: More in store for British Muslims during Ramadan
Tesco is the UK’s largest retailer, with more than 6,000 stores, of which 315 carry the Ramadan promotion. Its strategy for the holy month is clearly working, with an estimated sales increase of £30 million (Dh169.1m).
Pakistan: Halal search engine launched
The site, Halalgoogling, sources results from popular engines such as Google and Bing but its built-in filtering system blocks haram – or prohibited – content.
Saudi Arabia: Hellofood launches mobile app in Saudi Arabia
The mobile market grows rapidly in Saudi Arabia, the country with the biggest e-commerce market in the Islamic World. The smart phone penetration is at 60% of Saudi Arabia’s population – and rising.
EU: Breathable nail polish a surprise hit with Muslims
The Polish company and some Muslims say the polish is the first of its kind because it lets air and moisture pass through to the nail. A craze has built up around it with Muslim women in recent months after an Islamic scholar in the United States tested its permeability.
Switzerland: Swiss Muslims Eye Umbrella Organisation
Swiss Muslim activists are joining hands to create an umbrella body for the Muslim minority, hoping that the new group would help improve understanding of Muslim issues among the authorities and the general population.
Opinion: The great ideological struggle of the 21st Century
An interview with Chandran Nair, author of Consumptionomics: Asia’s role in reshaping capitalism and saving the planet. In the interview, Chandran discusses why the battle of ideas in Asia will define our future.
USA: ‘Halal’ Financing for Muslim Entrepreneurs Gains Currency
A March 2012 study of American Muslim entrepreneurs (PDF) tallied 81,000 Muslim-owned businesses in the U.S., with half located in New York, Chicago, and Houston. Some banks do “Sharia-compliant” home mortgages but not entrepreneur financing, which is much more complicated.
Australia’s debut Sukuk to fund solar power project
SGI-Mitabu, a consortium of two Australian solar companies, The Solar Guys International and Mitabu Australia, are planning to finance an Indonesian solar power project using Sukuk.
Opinion: 4 Strategies to Sharpen Your Focus
For example, when you need to pay attention during a call or meeting, bring a small object that you can play with, such as putty. It should be something you can manipulate mindlessly while you listen. This actually frees up your mental energy so you can focus a little better.
Opinion: Ogilvy Noor Year 2013 in Review
In the last 12 months, awareness, interest and brand engagement with the Muslim consumer has continued on a steep upward curve. From an Ogilvy Noor perspective we take a look back at the events, ideas and highpoints of the year.
Opinion: Marketing to Muslim Tourists
In 2011, Muslims spent an estimated $126bn on travel and tourism, that is without counting the religious pilgrimages of hajj and umrah. Global revenue from Muslim tourists is expected to rise 4.8 per cent a year over the next eight years, compared with a global average of 3.8 per cent.
Opinion: Can vegans stomach the unpalatable truth about quinoa?
Quinoa was, in marketing speak, the “miracle grain of the Andes”, but ethical consumers should be aware poor Bolivians can no longer afford their staple grain, due to western demand raising prices.
Opinion: LinkedIn’s Endorsements Have Become Meaningless
LinkedIn rolled out Endorsements in late September. The idea was that rather than go through the trouble of actually writing a Recommendation, you could merely check off a box. Think of it as a Facebook “Like” for business skills.
Vietnam’s First Halal and Holiday Operator to Promote Vietnam Halal Tourism
Luxury Travel Vietnam has just launched the first luxury halal tour and holiday operator focusing on Muslim tourists from Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Turkey, and the Middle East visiting Vietnam in 2013.
Tech-savvy Moms Lead Home-based Food Culture
Each year, moms contribute to spending nearly $200 billion on food purchased for use at home. A new report reveals that 13.3 million moms (41 percent) consider their kitchen to be the most important room in their home, while 19.7 million (61 percent) say they enjoy cooking.
