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Muslim eateries wage cola war
Mumbai: Numerous eateries in
Muslim-dominated areas of the (Mumbai) city are not serving Coca-Cola and
Pepsi, universal symbols of American consumerism, to protest against the
killing of innocents by the US bombings in Afghanistan. Muslim owners of
70 restaurants got together and formed an association. Their goal is to
boycott US goods, not only the two colas. "Most of the restaurants
have agreed to the boycott," said Shahabuddin Shaikh, owner of
Shalimar Restaurant.Some restaurants have already put up notices
announcing that they have decided not to sell American and British goods.
The boycott has alarmed the cola companies. Two top officials from
Coca-Cola visited Shalimar Restaurant, a popular two-level, 300-seat
Mughlai eatery on Mohammed Ali Road. They tried to convince the owners to
restock their products. One Coke official, who refused to be identified,
said the company had a staff of over 1,200 people, all Indians, in Mumbai,
and he had reason to be worried by the boycott. The boycott call was
initially given by a group of 24 organisations representing different
Muslim interests, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board,
Samajwadi Party, Mumbai Aman Committee, Jamat-e-Islami, All India Muslim
Council and Indian Union Muslim League.Café Nizari, at Bhindi Bazaar, is
another establishment not selling colas with western brand names. "We
are doing so in protest against the US bombings in Afghanistan," said
owner Ayub Bhai.
At Shalimar, clients are being given a choice of fruit juices, faloodas
and mineral water, but no colas. Customers from the Middle East have left
written notes expressing their support of the boycott. A client from
Mecca, Saudi Arabia, wrote, "It is good you are doing this." An
Indian customer left this note: "I am happy you are doing this. If we
cannot give our lives for this, we can at least do this much." q |
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