In a recent episode of the Coffee with Cush podcast, hosts Aziz and Wahj provided listeners with a preview of an upcoming white paper on the critical subject of Islamic Marketing. This insightful conversation revolved around the challenges and opportunities faced by companies striving to market their products in Muslim-majority countries.
Respecting Cultural Norms
Aziz and Wahj emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting cultural norms when marketing in Muslim majority countries. The hosts noted the significant differences between Western and Middle Eastern cultural norms, and that these distinctions must be acknowledged to avoid marketing mishaps that could offend potential customers or damage brand reputation.
Aziz mentioned the glaring example of Snapchat introducing an update on the day of Arafat, one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar. This lack of cultural sensitivity, he noted, could easily have been avoided with a better understanding of the cultural nuances and religious significance of certain dates.
Challenging Stereotypes and Assumptions
The hosts also tackled the critical issue of challenging stereotypes and assumptions. Western marketers often make the mistake of treating all Muslim-majority countries as a monolithic entity. They emphasized that just as there is diversity within the Western world, Muslim-majority countries have significant cultural, political, and economic differences that need to be taken into account.
Wahj pointed out that many companies erroneously believe that a marketing strategy that works in one country will automatically be effective in another, but cultural nuances make this approach problematic.
Islamic Marketing vs. Halal Marketing
A key distinction made during the podcast was between “Islamic Marketing” and “Halal Marketing”. Halal Marketing focuses solely on marketing products that comply with Islamic law, while Islamic Marketing extends beyond that, taking into account the ethics, values, and principles of Islam in the overall marketing strategy.
Bridging the Gap between Religion and Marketing
The hosts argued that discussing religion in marketing is essential for companies looking to expand into Muslim majority countries. The white paper is not only for Muslims in marketing who want to reconcile their profession with their faith but also for non-Muslims interested in reaching a broader audience.
In the same vein as Halal finance or Halal medicine, the discussion of Halal marketing is integral to business practices in Muslim-majority countries. While the topic might be new and challenging to many, the hosts maintained it is their responsibility to shed light on it, stimulate discussions, and encourage growth in this field.
The Upcoming White Paper
Coffee with Cush’s upcoming white paper is an extensive resource for anyone looking to engage with audiences in Muslim-majority countries successfully. The hosts hinted that the paper, which could have been 150 pages, has been condensed to 50 pages and covers the subject matter in-depth.
Through this white paper, Cush Digital aims to start a conversation about Islamic Marketing, hoping that the paper will evolve into something more comprehensive with community feedback and ongoing discussions.
Stay tuned for the release of the white paper in the coming weeks, and join the conversation on Islamic Marketing. Your feedback is highly appreciated and will help shape the future discourse in this critical field of marketing.
Wrapping up the discussion, Aziz and Wahj invite everyone to suggest points for future podcasts and join the conversation once the white paper is out. Here’s to bridging gaps, challenging norms, and evolving the narrative of Islamic Marketing.
