Following the lead of the successful Mecca Cola, a UK company is the next to launch a cola drink catering specially for the Muslim community.
Qibla Cola will be available in UK supermarkets from today, said its makers this week. The product, which also has a diet variety, comes with the strap line 'Liberate Your Taste' and money raised from sales will go towards Muslim charities, according to the company.
The Qibla Cola Company founder Zahida Parveen said: "The Qibla brand has been designed to provide consumers from within the Muslim community with an alternative brand of this popular soft drink."
Parveen added that the product is a high quality soft drink and referred to the huge demand within the UK and overseas markets for a product of this nature.
Mecca Cola, launched by French entrepreneur Tawfik Mathlouthi at the end of last year, has already achieved significant sales, and is rapidly being rolled out across Europe.
"The Qibla brand offers a real alternative for people concerned by the practices of some major western multinationals who support causes that oppress Muslims. Muslims are increasingly questioning the role these brands play in their societies…and are increasingly seeking out alternative products."
"By choosing to boycott major brands, consumers are sending a powerful signal - that the exploitation of Muslims cannot continue unchecked. Qibla Cola represents the conscious choice for people who reject injustice and exploitation," said Parveen.
The products will initially be targeted at Muslim communities within major UK cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford and Glasgow. The company is also hoping to launch the range in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, the Far East and the rest of the Muslim world over time.
Qibla has paired up with Muslim charity Islamic Aid, which specialises in delivering projects to some of the most deprived communities in the world.