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Enjoy Mecca Cola (now also in Europe)

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  • Enjoy Mecca Cola (now also in Europe)

    Meanwhile...


    BBC, News, BBC News, news online, world, uk, international, foreign, british, online, service


    Coke is no longer it. Or at least it won't be if Tawfik Mathlouthi has anything to do with it.

    Ultimately it is the consumer who will make the decision



    Coca-Cola

    Mr Mathlouthi is the French entrepreneur behind Mecca Cola, a new soft drink designed to cash in on anti-American sentiment around the world.

    He hopes to make Mecca Cola the soft drink of choice for Muslims everywhere and thus push out that icon of American capitalism Coca-Cola.

    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.

    It is not the first time Coca-Cola has been the target of a "buy Muslim" challenge. Zamzam Cola, an Iranian drink named after a holy spring in Mecca, has won an enthusiastic reception in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

    Coca-Cola has dismissed Mr Mathlouthi's move, saying he had "identified a commercial opportunity which involves the exploitation in Europe of the difficult and complex situation in the Middle East".

    "Ultimately it is the consumer who will make the decision," the company said in a statement.


    Boycott protest

    Popular anger against the United States over its support for Israel amid the Palestinian intifada has sparked a campaign to boycott American products throughout Arab countries.

    US exports to Saudi Arabia declined by more than 40% in the first three months of 2002.


    The drink is flying off the shelves

    Coca-Cola admits that along with other businesses, it has "felt some impact of such boycotts," though it does not elaborate.

    The company insists that it is "not affiliated with any religion or ethnic group" and does not engage in politics.

    Demand for bottles of Mecca Cola - which bear the slogan "No more drinking stupid, drink with commitment" - is already soaring.

    Launched in France just two months ago, the drink is now being exported to Britain, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain.

    Next week the Scandinavian countries Sweden and Denmark will join the club, Mr Mathlouthi said.

    And in one month's time the drink will go on sale in the Middle East for the first time.

    Huge demand

    Mr Mathlouthi says that two million bottles, each holding 1.5 litres, have already been sold and the demand for advance orders has been phenomenal.

    It is not my problem, it is the problem of the US administration. If they want to change anti-US sentiment they must change their policies and their double standards on human rights and politics



    Tawfik Mathlouthi


    "We have orders for 16 million bottles and in England alone orders for two million bottles a month," Mr Mathlouthi said.

    The first businesses to sell Mecca Cola were what Mr Mathlouthi described as "small ethnic shops in Muslim areas".

    But now the drink can be found on the shelves of large cash and carry supermarkets in France, Belgium and Germany.

    Profits to charity

    One of the main attractions for buyers, Mr Mathlouthi says, is the fact that 10% of the profits go to charities operating in Palestinian territories and 10% to European NGOs.

    When asked how the company ensures that the money it provides to Palestinians does not get channelled into terrorist activities Mr Mathlouthi says the aid is never given directly as cash.

    "We give help by providing clothes and goods, or by paying the costs of the construction of schools there," he said.

    "If we give money we give it to Unicef," the United Nations Children's Fund, he added.

    The other 10% is passed on to NGOs based in Europe who are working to promote peace around the world, he said.

    Mr Mathlouthi is not concerned that his incendiary "Don't drink stupid" logo may encourage anti-American sentiment, a growing problem worldwide.

    "It is not my problem, it is the problem of the US administration. If they want to change anti-US sentiment they must change their policies and their double standards on human rights and politics," he said.

  • #2
    We have "Super Drink". It's cheap, It's toxic, It's fun for the whole family stuff it, Mecca Cola!
    urgh.NSFW

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    • #3
      interesting
      "Chegitz, still angry about the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991?
      You provide no source. You PROVIDE NOTHING! And yet you want to destroy capitalism.. you criminal..." - Fez

      "I was hoping for a Communist utopia that would last forever." - Imran Siddiqui

      Comment


      • #4
        [mindless bigoted jingoism chip activated]

        MECCA = ISLAM = EVIL = SMOKING CRATER;

        [/chip]
        "I've lived too long with pain. I won't know who I am without it. We have to leave this place, I am almost happy here."
        - Ender, from Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

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        • #5
          its nice to have an alternative to coca cola

          the arabs are just cashing in on that european lackness

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          • #6
            Ultimately, the product will decide.

            People drink Coke because they like it, not because it's American.

            If Mecca Cola tastes better, then I'll do my part to support terrorism and drink some too.

            Not because I want to support terrorism, but because I want to drink something that tastes good.
            Some days are diamonds, some days are rocks...

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            • #7
              unfortunately it supposedly tastes crap

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              • #8
                so u can keep enjoying great taset AND supporting terrorism all in one
                what can be a better deal?

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                • #9
                  just tried vanilla cola, they should've called it butter cola. yuck

                  btw, we need a :disgusted: smilie
                  CSPA

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                  • #10
                    I wonder if I can get any of this stuff here in America?
                    http://monkspider.blogspot.com/

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      So did anyone actually drink Mecca Cola? I want some first-hand reviews.

                      I wonder why no one ever mentions Pepsi in these articles. Do they not sell it outside the US?

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                      • #12
                        they sell outside america.

                        its just that in most countries america=coca cola
                        thats why they mention that and not pepsi (which is too sweet IMO)

                        some french or german posters could reply about the taste of mecca cola

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                        • #13
                          I'm going to buy the first can I see. I assure you.
                          "Paul Hanson, you should give Gibraltar back to the Spanish" - Paiktis, dramatically over-estimating my influence in diplomatic circles.

                          Eyewerks - you know you want to visit. No really, you do. Go on, click me.

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                          • #14
                            Why?
                            Are you a terrorist?

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                            • #15
                              Anyone else seen those anti-SUV adverts claiming that everytime George fills up his tank he is funding terrorism?
                              One day Canada will rule the world, and then we'll all be sorry.

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