PARIS,
October 31 (IslamOnline.net) - Whether it is all politics or a
humanitarian noble message for a further boycott of American and
pro-Israel products, a new fizzy drink have hit the shelves of the
French supermarkets donning the Islamic global tag of peace.
Carrying
a call for spreading global peace and halting the aggressions against
Palestinians and Iraqis, “Peace Cola” sell like hot cakes in France
since the advent of Ramadan, a holy Islamic month marked by prayers and
piety.
“It
is mainly targeting Muslim and Arab communities in France, Belgium and
Switzerland,” said the company director Rabeh Kashish, himself a
Moroccan immigrant.
Two
million bottles of the drink have made their way to the markets, and two
more truck-loaded cargoes left for France to meet a high demand expected
during Ramadan.
Other
drinks that had appeared since the eruption of Palestinian Intifada
against Israeli occupation, as Mecca Cola and Zamzam cola, make a
similar blockbuster success in the Paris neighborhoods predominated by
Arabs and Muslims.
Drinks
For Worship
French
Muslims say it is part of a worship, as these drinks were mainly
launched to rival U.S.-produced world leader in the beverages' sector
Coca-Cola and to show rejection to the U.S. foreign policies in a more
effective way.
“With
scenes beaming on the screen of humiliation inflicted on Iraqis and
Palestinians, no wonder that people are relinquishing such American
products,” said Malik Hassiss, a supermarket owner in the 18th
District.
Hassiss
said 6,000 tetra packs of Mecca Cola were sold within the first four
days of Ramadan.
“Mecca
Cola says it donates 20 percent of profits to bereaved Palestinian
families, so it smacks of worship to buy such a product in Ramadan,”
said 22-year-old Banan.
But
it has become a larger message with many other supporters now joining
forces after the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
“Other
drinks as “Muslim Up” were produced and propagated as a
French-European project standing up to U.S. merchandise financing the
production of arms used against innocent people,” said Tawfiq
Al-Thalwthy, a French of Moroccan origin.
But
it still also for profits, something the producers did not deny, or
others use to underestimate the value of the message the drinks convey.
“What
does really matter is finding an alternative to U.S. commodities, but
there are no problem with making profits out of this struggle,” said
Abdullah Sari, a Palestinian French coalition member.
In
February, After the launch of Zamzam cola and Mecca Cola, a new cola
drink was launched in the U.K, like it's counterparts donning an Islamic
tag; Qibla Cola, aiming at the Muslim community in the U.K.
Earlier
this year, Iran came up with a new substitute for Ken and Barbie. Dara
and Sara, the Muslim dolls, have been developed by an Iranian government
agency to promote traditional values, with their modest clothing and
pro-family backgrounds.