Although mainly talking about the news of an Islamic car being developed in the Far East, Fugstar also covers the more important subject of Islamic® branding as well as the current phenomenon of prefixing everyday items with "Ummah".
Bearing in mind that I'm a professional moaning cynic I agree with his sentiment, but in the same breath I would have to acknowledge that I'm a lazy so and so who couldn't dream of launching any similar products.
Still, I can't help but feel that there's a hint of exploitation, tribalism and self-sustainment here (read: sales on a novelty). I think I'd be more comfortable with Islamic products that are genuinely aimed at Muslims and non-Muslims like rather than those aimed at a minority with wallets - after all by its essence, anything Islamic should be of benefit to the whole world... Right?
Tuesday, November 13
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We need to remember the third worldist need to nurture and flex some technological and industrial muscle, so the 'non muslim' relevance isnt my biggest gripe. The car is not about 'exclusion' more about profusion... at least in my head...
ReplyDelete"I think I'd be more comfortable with Islamic products that are genuinely aimed at Muslims and non-Muslims like rather than those aimed at a minority with wallets - after all by its essence, anything Islamic should be of benefit to the whole world... Right?"
ReplyDeleteSame here, why not just have products for those who need them rather this minority/communal marketing strategy - which is always divisive imo.
anyway thought we had a Islamic car...called the rikshaw, no?
ReplyDelete>_<
its not a western muslim thing, its a heartlands thing. so the wiberal/polite/interfaith element is wholly unnecessary to the business plan. if its good people will buy in. Its hard engineering too, not 'dawah' literature of shalwar kameez.
ReplyDeletehindus buy halal chicken from bricklane because its fresh, non muslims bank with islami bank in desh because it can be trusted and has good service.
rikshaw is an example of rubbish and inhuman technology thats just embedded and stuck in a rut because the society is stagnant.
things are not that stagnate. electronic rikshaws exist now..ok, I get your point.
ReplyDeletebut you're still advocating 'Islamic branding'. supply if there's a demand is all I say.
When it comes to banking products if they branded it with any terminology other than Islamic it would still be known as an "Islamic" product because that is what it boils down to when someone asks what's the difference and want a quick answer.
ReplyDeleteIf we are talking about chocolate and such like then I agree the branding is exploitation - but in the world of marketing, it's a case of whatever works.
PFC, parking aside for now the dubious quality/health benefits of the food itself, in "principle" is an outlet that caters especially to the needs of the Muslim market without branding itself as such. That's the kind of theory we are talking about I guess.
it's just pure marketing and stupid at that- very exclusionist. hardly the best policy in a time where divisiveness is so rife and yes it would get massively vandalised by racists. then again, marketing has never been the smartest or the most ethical of jobs.
ReplyDeletethe whole thing's a gimmick and quite farcical. a muslim car- i'd be extremely surprised if any of the muslims i know really gave a toss. i'm sure they're smart enough to want a good car rather than a "muslim" branded one. sigh...the world never stops frustrating me with its stupidity...