Plenty of books have addressed the staggering market potential of halal goods from a financial perspective, but <i>Brand Islam</i> stands out for its social focus, in particular on the consumption and marketing of products to Muslims . . . it makes for fascinating reading. (The National) In her engaging and thoroughly researched examination of all things halal, Middle Eastern Studies professor Faegheh Shirazi analyzes the shrewd commercial strategy underlying the branding of the Islamic culture industry. (Middle East Journal) Shirazi reveals how and why the growth of consumerism, global communications and the Westernization of many Muslim countries are all driving commercialization using Islam. (Islamic Horizons) [A] very readable and entertaining mine of information about today's 'halal race,' broadly interpreting the transformations within the frames of theories on cultural identity politics and economic sociology of consumerism. (Religious Studies Review) <i>Brand Islam</i> is an illuminating case study in the relationship between religion and the consumer market. (Journal of Markets and Morality) Illuminating…[<i>Brand Islam</i>] provides an excellent practical guide that amply answers the basic questions and will surely assist any further inquiries into this compelling unbounded emporium. (Review of Middle East Studies) <i>Brand Islam</i> is a fascinating cultural study of sorts of the new local and global 'Muslim' markets in halal goods and services. (Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations) [<i>Brand Islam</i>] provides a useful exploration of the question of Muslim consumption and contributes to larger discussions surrounding material religion. (American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences)
From food products to fashions and cosmetics to children’s toys, a wide range of commodities today are being marketed as “halal” (permitted, lawful) or “Islamic” to Muslim consumers both in the West and in Muslim-majority nations. However, many of these products are not authentically Islamic or halal, and their producers have not necessarily created them to honor religious practice or sentiment. Instead, most “halal” commodities are profit-driven, and they exploit the rise of a new Islamic economic paradigm, “Brand Islam,” as a clever marketing tool.
Brand Islam investigates the rise of this highly lucrative marketing strategy and the resulting growth in consumer loyalty to goods and services identified as Islamic. Faegheh Shirazi explores the reasons why consumers buy Islam-branded products, including conspicuous piety or a longing to identify with a larger Muslim community, especially for those Muslims who live in Western countries, and how this phenomenon is affecting the religious, cultural, and economic lives of Muslim consumers. She demonstrates that Brand Islam has actually enabled a new type of global networking, joining product and service sectors together in a huge conglomerate that some are referring to as the Interland. A timely and original contribution to Muslim cultural studies, Brand Islam reveals how and why the growth of consumerism, global communications, and the Westernization of many Islamic countries are all driving the commercialization of Islam.
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Chapter 1. Islamophobia and Western Culture
- Chapter 2. Islam and the Halal Food Industry
- Chapter 3. Halal Slaughtering of Animals: Perils and Practices
- Chapter 4. Marketing Piety: Hijabi Dolls and Other Toys
- Chapter 5. Halal Cosmetics and Skin Care: The Islamic Way to Beauty
- Chapter 6. Islamic Dress and the Muslim Fashion Industry: Halal Fashion
- Chapter 7. Sportswear, Lingerie, and Accessories-the Islamic Way
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index