As the name suggests, halal packaging involves using halal-certified raw
materials for packaging materials and halal-certified lubricants for
packaging machinery. Considering that packaging for food and cosmetics may be in direct contact with the products they showcase, the need for halal packaging becomes essential.
Transparency Market Research explains that polymers used for packaging are produced from
petroleum-based raw materials. However, substances are added to the
polymers to improve their properties, such elasticity, prevention of
condensation in a cold environment, or durability. For halal consumers, additives
which are derived from non-halal sources, such as animals which are not
permitted for slaughtering according to Islamic law, or
from permitted animals that were not slaughtered in accordance with
Islamic slaughtering rules, are prohibited. Similarly, lubricants used in packaging machinery should
strictly avoid the use of porcine stearates.
According to Transparency Market Research, major growth drivers for the halal packaging market include: a growing global Muslim population, increased marketability of products for the Muslim consumer due to halal certification, and improved awareness about halal-certified products and services. However, the increased cost of products in case of carrying out customised halal packaging can pose a threat to the market growth. The Middle East/North Africa, South and Southeast Asia are anticipated to lead the overall halal packaging market.
Halal packaging refers to polymer resins that contain additives derived from halal sources which have a certificate guaranteeing that the halal integrity of the polymer resins is maintained throughout the entire supply chain.
As per the halal packaging practices, a qualitative investigation for screening and identifying any trace of animal-based element used in additives is conducted during the manufacturing process, and if any such element is found, it is subsequently substituted with equivalent additives from halal sources. The polymer resins are themselves analysed for the presence of
animal-based elements, such as animal fats and pig derivatives, to
ensure that the polymer resins are completely free from animal based
ingredients. Enclosures may be required in the manufacturing facility to protect the processing or manufacturing units from external contamination. Manufacturers may also have to adopt a system for maintaining a halal ingredients database and procedures.
Major market players in halal packaging market include MM Karton, Varsity Packaging, and Al Halal Packaging. Cardia Bioplastics, a supplier of sustainable resins to the global
plastic and packaging industries, received halal certification for
its range of Biohybrid resins in 2012.
Interested?
Buy the Transparency Market Research Halal Packaging Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024 report
Read the Suroor Asia blog post on the halal ingredients market
Sunday, 30 April 2017
Saturday, 29 April 2017
The new Cafédirect 100% Arabica Espresso Roast and Ground Coffee is darker and more intense
 |
| Source: Cafédirect. The new Cafédirect 100% Arabica Espresso Roast and Ground Coffee delivers an intense flavour with a sweet finish. Consider pairing with butter for a decadent experience. |
Cafédirect, the 100% Fairtrade hot drinks company introduced a darker roast in its Cafédirect 100% Arabica Espresso Roast and Ground Coffee at the end of March. Created for coffee connoisseurs, this espresso blend uses beans from Peru and Costa Rica to deliver a dark, intense coffee.
Arabica beans from Peru make up a strong base for the coffee, bringing a natural dark chocolatey taste to each sip. The strong roasting process intensifies the taste. Costa Rica Arabica beans counterbalance the Peruvian beans, softening the mouthfeel and giving the coffee a creamy finish.
Cafédirect uses a unique numbering system to indicate coffee strength. The strength of a coffee depends on a number of factors, namely the composition of coffee beans in the blend as well as the intensity of the roasting process. Roast and ground coffees from Cafédirect span the range from 3 to 6. The Arabica Espresso Roast and Ground Coffee is a 6, reflecting its full-bodied taste that promises a flavour explosion, leading up to a naturally sweet finish.
Cafédirect 100% Arabica Espresso is finely ground for easy brewing in an espresso machine, stove-top espresso pot or percolator, or сafetière (plunger).
As a business, Cafédirect is different: Growers have shares in the company and have two seats on the Cafédirect Board of Directors. Cafédirect’s unique approach has seen the company paying fair prices and working directly with smallholder growers so that they can develop their businesses and increase their influence in highly competitive commodity markets.
Through direct, personal and
long-term relationships, Cafédirect partners with over 282,000
smallholder growers in 40 grower organisations across 14 developing
countries. Under Cafédirect’s Fairtrade business model, 50% of the
profits go back to the coffee growers who nurture and harvest the beans.
This not only improves the lives of the growers, but the quality of
each coffee bean as well.
New prayer hall at upgraded Masjid Al-Khair
 |
| Source: Masjid Al-Khair web page. View of Masjid Al-Khair. |
The addition of a new prayer hall on the third level has added 500 prayer spaces, increasing total praying capacity to 4,000.
In addition to more comfortable praying areas, congregants can enjoy upgraded classrooms for Islamic learning. The upgraded mosque is now more accessible with a lift going to all floors. Other new features include an enhanced facade, improved roof waterproofing and electrical wiring works as well as the installation of a new audio visual system.
A new interactive wall panel highlighting the importance in understanding the inherent meaning behind the Quran was also unveiled by Mufti Dr Mohamed Fatris. This project was conceptualised to appeal to the younger generation and encourage interest in the knowledge of tafsir (تفسير), or interpretations of the Quran. Using augmented reality, the panels depict information regarding muffasir (expert writers of commentaries) on the Quran.
In addition to more comfortable praying areas, congregants can enjoy upgraded classrooms for Islamic learning. The upgraded mosque is now more accessible with a lift going to all floors. Other new features include an enhanced facade, improved roof waterproofing and electrical wiring works as well as the installation of a new audio visual system.
A new interactive wall panel highlighting the importance in understanding the inherent meaning behind the Quran was also unveiled by Mufti Dr Mohamed Fatris. This project was conceptualised to appeal to the younger generation and encourage interest in the knowledge of tafsir (تفسير), or interpretations of the Quran. Using augmented reality, the panels depict information regarding muffasir (expert writers of commentaries) on the Quran.
Thursday, 27 April 2017
DagangHalal holds halal certification workshop in Seremban
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| Source: Dagang Halal e-DM. |
The workshop will cover the requirements for halal certification according to the Malaysia Halal Certification Procedure Manual, as well as guidelines on how to prepare the required documentation and instructions on using the MYeHALAL system.
Interested?
Effective management of halal documentation workshop
May 17 2017
9am to 5.30pm
Sutera Hotel, Seremban, Malaysia
77 & 78, Jalan S2 B1, 70300 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Register (PDF; document is in Malay)
MegaXpress to organise Halal food expo and Hari Raya Mega Sale 2017
MegaXpress International is organising the 16th Halal Food Expo & Hari Raya Mega Sale 2017 from 18 to 21 May.
The event will showcase the best of Singapore's halal industry with startup entrepreneurs, restauranteurs, manufacturers, distributors, and supermarkets participating.
Every event features Celebrands booths where local and overseas celebrities will promote their own brands, live. Celebrities on the showfloor will include entertainer Roslan Shah, Chef Amri, Chef Mel Dean and Chef Andri.
The Fast and Fuyooh X series of workshops is a new feature for 2017 events with MegaXpress. The programme includes a one-day boot camp two weeks before the expo, a booth at the expo and then a review session a week later. The workshops help would-be entrepreneurs conceptualise a retail concept, branding and other aspects of building a business, culminating in actual sales on the Halal Food Expo & Hari Raya Mega Sale showfloor, getting feedback from genuine customers. The review session then explores ways to improve. Twenty places are available, at S$997 for the experience.
Interested?
Halal Food Expo & Hari Raya Mega Sale
18 to 21 May
Singapore Expo Hall 5A
The event will showcase the best of Singapore's halal industry with startup entrepreneurs, restauranteurs, manufacturers, distributors, and supermarkets participating.
Every event features Celebrands booths where local and overseas celebrities will promote their own brands, live. Celebrities on the showfloor will include entertainer Roslan Shah, Chef Amri, Chef Mel Dean and Chef Andri.
 |
| Source: MegaXpress website. |
Interested?
Halal Food Expo & Hari Raya Mega Sale
18 to 21 May
Singapore Expo Hall 5A
Monday, 24 April 2017
Double-digit growth path for halal cosmetics
A report published by Allied Market Research, Halal Cosmetics Market by Type and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014-2022, predicts that the global market is expected to reach US$54.1 billion by 2022, up from US$20.2 billion in 2015, a CAGR of 15.2% during the forecast period (2014 to 2022).
The global halal cosmetics market is driven by rise in Muslim population globally and the booming halal market, which has now extended its traditional product base of food and beverages to meet the growing personal and beauty care needs of Muslim population. Halal certification enables Muslim population to identify the genuine products, thereby obeying the virtues of their religion, thereby fuelling the growth of the global halal cosmetics market.
However, rules and regulations as to whether an ingredient is halal varies across countries, which is thereby expected to hinder cosmetic companies planning to penetrate the global halal cosmetics market.
The demand for halal cosmetic products in the overall halal cosmetics industry is expected to be driven by increase in purchasing power of the growing Muslim population and significant desire among young Muslim women to associate their interest in fashion and makeup with Islamic religious loyalties. These factors also provide lucrative opportunities to the multinational cosmetic companies to enter the halal cosmetics market.
Countries such as KSA, Iran, UAE, Malaysia, and Indonesia offer potential growth opportunities for halal colour cosmetics products. The Latin America, Middle East and Africa region is expected to register the highest CAGR of 15.1% due to a larger Muslim population, especially in the Middle East; high purchasing power, and demand for personal and beauty care cosmetic products among Muslim consumers.
The fragrance market is expected to register the top CAGR of 15.8% by segment in the halal cosmetics market, as Allied Market Research sees growing demand for attar* (عطار) sprays among Muslim consumers. The LAMEA region is expected to dominate the halal fragrance market due to growing populations in KSA, UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, and others; rise in purchasing power, and increased interest in personal grooming products that adhere to the Islamic virtues. The Asia Pacific region is also expected to grow significantly for halal fragrances, particularly driven by the Muslim population in nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and India.
Colour cosmetics** is the next-largest halal cosmetics market segment after fragrances. The colour cosmetics segment is expected to account for US$17.9 billion in 2022, up from US$6.6 billion in 2015, registering a CAGR of 15.3%. Halal colour cosmetics are widely adopted by Muslim women, especially the youth. The demand for halal colour cosmetics is expected to witness an upsurge due to rise in purchasing power and a desire to look trendy. Halal colour cosmetic products include lipsticks, hair colour, blushes, lip balms, and others. Muslim women are more particular about using halal colour cosmetics during Ramadhan as it is a time when people are reminded to be closer to the faith, and therefore religious rules.
Key findings include:
Interested?
Buy the report
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about Grand View Research's perspective on the halal cosmetics market
*Attar refers to essential oil-based fragrances which come from plants and that are made without alcohol.
**Colour cosmetics are those which add colour to parts of the body, and include colours for hair, skin, eyes, cheeks, lips and nails.
The global halal cosmetics market is driven by rise in Muslim population globally and the booming halal market, which has now extended its traditional product base of food and beverages to meet the growing personal and beauty care needs of Muslim population. Halal certification enables Muslim population to identify the genuine products, thereby obeying the virtues of their religion, thereby fuelling the growth of the global halal cosmetics market.
However, rules and regulations as to whether an ingredient is halal varies across countries, which is thereby expected to hinder cosmetic companies planning to penetrate the global halal cosmetics market.
The demand for halal cosmetic products in the overall halal cosmetics industry is expected to be driven by increase in purchasing power of the growing Muslim population and significant desire among young Muslim women to associate their interest in fashion and makeup with Islamic religious loyalties. These factors also provide lucrative opportunities to the multinational cosmetic companies to enter the halal cosmetics market.
Countries such as KSA, Iran, UAE, Malaysia, and Indonesia offer potential growth opportunities for halal colour cosmetics products. The Latin America, Middle East and Africa region is expected to register the highest CAGR of 15.1% due to a larger Muslim population, especially in the Middle East; high purchasing power, and demand for personal and beauty care cosmetic products among Muslim consumers.
The fragrance market is expected to register the top CAGR of 15.8% by segment in the halal cosmetics market, as Allied Market Research sees growing demand for attar* (عطار) sprays among Muslim consumers. The LAMEA region is expected to dominate the halal fragrance market due to growing populations in KSA, UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, and others; rise in purchasing power, and increased interest in personal grooming products that adhere to the Islamic virtues. The Asia Pacific region is also expected to grow significantly for halal fragrances, particularly driven by the Muslim population in nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and India.
Colour cosmetics** is the next-largest halal cosmetics market segment after fragrances. The colour cosmetics segment is expected to account for US$17.9 billion in 2022, up from US$6.6 billion in 2015, registering a CAGR of 15.3%. Halal colour cosmetics are widely adopted by Muslim women, especially the youth. The demand for halal colour cosmetics is expected to witness an upsurge due to rise in purchasing power and a desire to look trendy. Halal colour cosmetic products include lipsticks, hair colour, blushes, lip balms, and others. Muslim women are more particular about using halal colour cosmetics during Ramadhan as it is a time when people are reminded to be closer to the faith, and therefore religious rules.
Key findings include:
- The hair care segment generated the highest revenue in 2015, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.1% during the forecast period.
- The personal care segment accounted for the highest revenue in 2015, and is expected to have a a CAGR of 14.6%.
- With growth in demand for e-commerce sales, the online distribution sales channel is expected to grow at the fastest rate of 18.2% by 2022.
Interested?
Buy the report
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about Grand View Research's perspective on the halal cosmetics market
*Attar refers to essential oil-based fragrances which come from plants and that are made without alcohol.
**Colour cosmetics are those which add colour to parts of the body, and include colours for hair, skin, eyes, cheeks, lips and nails.
Sunday, 23 April 2017
Global halal ingredients market set for strong growth through to 2027
The halal ingredients market is emerging as one of the most
profitable market arenas in the world. According to Transparency Market Research, expected increases in population and consumer income will
drive growth over the forecast period of 2017 to 2027.
The market has grown strongly in past few decades with the two strongest markets for halal products being Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The largest population of Muslims are located in the South Asia and Pacific regions in countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, driving demand for halal ingredient certifications.
The growth of the global halal ingredients market is driven by food and beverage, and the cosmetics industry, says Transparency Market Research. Muslim consumers are more ready to buy halal products while non-Muslim consumers are becoming more "eco-ethical conscious", the research firm said, willing to pay premium prices for natural or organic products*. Obstacles to growth in the halal ingredient market include the high cost of production and inconsistent quality standards.
The report segments the global halal ingredients market into food, beverages, cosmetics and
pharmaceuticals. Transparency Market Research forecasts that of these, food and beverages will lead in the halal ingredients market.
Some of the market players identified in the global halal ingredient market include:
Nestle
Del Monte Philippines
Burger King
Tesco Stores
Unilever
L’Oreal
MAKE-UP ART COSMETICS
Beiersdorf
Amara cosmetics
Shiseido
Lush Retail
*Editor's note: while many halal research forecasts have claimed that non-Muslims are interested in halal products I have never personally seen or heard non-Muslims seek out halal products as their purchase of choice. It is more likely that the concept of 'halal' is not well understood by non-Muslims, as opposed to products which are natural or organic. They do of course buy natural and organic products which are incidentally also halal-certified. It should be pointed out that natural or organic products may not be halal, for example if they contain alcohol. Conversely, products made with man-made and inorganic ingredients can be halal.
Interested?
Buy the Halal Ingredient Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2027 report by Transparency Market Research
The market has grown strongly in past few decades with the two strongest markets for halal products being Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The largest population of Muslims are located in the South Asia and Pacific regions in countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, driving demand for halal ingredient certifications.
The growth of the global halal ingredients market is driven by food and beverage, and the cosmetics industry, says Transparency Market Research. Muslim consumers are more ready to buy halal products while non-Muslim consumers are becoming more "eco-ethical conscious", the research firm said, willing to pay premium prices for natural or organic products*. Obstacles to growth in the halal ingredient market include the high cost of production and inconsistent quality standards.
The report segments the global halal ingredients market into food, beverages, cosmetics and
pharmaceuticals. Transparency Market Research forecasts that of these, food and beverages will lead in the halal ingredients market.
Some of the market players identified in the global halal ingredient market include:
Nestle
Del Monte Philippines
Burger King
Tesco Stores
Unilever
L’Oreal
MAKE-UP ART COSMETICS
Beiersdorf
Amara cosmetics
Shiseido
Lush Retail
*Editor's note: while many halal research forecasts have claimed that non-Muslims are interested in halal products I have never personally seen or heard non-Muslims seek out halal products as their purchase of choice. It is more likely that the concept of 'halal' is not well understood by non-Muslims, as opposed to products which are natural or organic. They do of course buy natural and organic products which are incidentally also halal-certified. It should be pointed out that natural or organic products may not be halal, for example if they contain alcohol. Conversely, products made with man-made and inorganic ingredients can be halal.
Interested?
Buy the Halal Ingredient Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2027 report by Transparency Market Research
Saturday, 22 April 2017
Image Nation Abu Dhabi presents On Arab Geographies
Image Nation Abu Dhabi, a media and entertainment company, and independent film platform Cinema Akil, are presenting for the first time in Abu Dhabi On Arab Geographies, a film programme dedicated to showcasing films from across the Arab world and beyond. The programme aims to showcase a broad spectrum of critically-acclaimed contemporary Arab films around the notion of geography.
The programme is curated by Rabih El Khoury, Program Manager of Talents Beirut, a Programmer at ALFILM the Arab Film Festival in Berlin, Germany and a member of the administrative board of the Metropolis Association. On Arab Geographies will screen a total of eight films that include feature length and short narratives, documentaries from UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Tunisia and Lebanon, among others.
Gehad Darwish, spokesman from Image Nation Abu Dhabi said: “Our vision at Image Nation is to create opportunities for Arab talent to tell their stories, and provide them with the right platform to showcase, network and share their ideas with the audience. It is also an opportunity for local audiences to discover the breadth and depth of Arab films and support their local filmmakers. We are very pleased with this collaboration with Cinema Akil and the great selection of films and narratives curated by the brilliant Rabih El Khoury.”
The lineup will showcase titles including Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s documentary feature Zainab Hates the Snow and Amna Al Nowais’s short film, Omnia.
The programme will also include panel discussions and Q&A sessions with the filmmakers and film experts that shed light on the opportunities and challenges of film-making in the region, plus discussions on the different geographies of the Arab world.
El Khoury also commented: “This programme aims to be a travelogue throughout the Arab world and beyond. A journey that is not only shaped by mobility and movement within a set of geographical entities, but also one that is led by internal wanderings, and individual efforts to find hope.”
Butheina Kazim, Co-Founder and MD of Cinema Akil said: “The main objective of the programme is to cater to an increasingly wide audience interested in contemporary Arab cinema and storytelling in addition to adding to the thriving cultural scene in Abu Dhabi. The programme is also in line with Cinema Akil and Image Nation Abu Dhabi’s shared vision of providing a consistent platform for showcasing contemporary Arab cinema.”
The On Arab Geographies film programme is aligned with the #SupportArabCinema campaign by Image Nation, which encourages local audiences to support Arab films and filmmakers in the region.
Interested?
The On Arab Geographies programme of screenings and talks will be held in Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, UAE from 4 till 6 May, 2017.
The programme is open to the public and free of charge.
The programme is curated by Rabih El Khoury, Program Manager of Talents Beirut, a Programmer at ALFILM the Arab Film Festival in Berlin, Germany and a member of the administrative board of the Metropolis Association. On Arab Geographies will screen a total of eight films that include feature length and short narratives, documentaries from UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Tunisia and Lebanon, among others.
Gehad Darwish, spokesman from Image Nation Abu Dhabi said: “Our vision at Image Nation is to create opportunities for Arab talent to tell their stories, and provide them with the right platform to showcase, network and share their ideas with the audience. It is also an opportunity for local audiences to discover the breadth and depth of Arab films and support their local filmmakers. We are very pleased with this collaboration with Cinema Akil and the great selection of films and narratives curated by the brilliant Rabih El Khoury.”
The lineup will showcase titles including Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s documentary feature Zainab Hates the Snow and Amna Al Nowais’s short film, Omnia.
The programme will also include panel discussions and Q&A sessions with the filmmakers and film experts that shed light on the opportunities and challenges of film-making in the region, plus discussions on the different geographies of the Arab world.
El Khoury also commented: “This programme aims to be a travelogue throughout the Arab world and beyond. A journey that is not only shaped by mobility and movement within a set of geographical entities, but also one that is led by internal wanderings, and individual efforts to find hope.”
Butheina Kazim, Co-Founder and MD of Cinema Akil said: “The main objective of the programme is to cater to an increasingly wide audience interested in contemporary Arab cinema and storytelling in addition to adding to the thriving cultural scene in Abu Dhabi. The programme is also in line with Cinema Akil and Image Nation Abu Dhabi’s shared vision of providing a consistent platform for showcasing contemporary Arab cinema.”
The On Arab Geographies film programme is aligned with the #SupportArabCinema campaign by Image Nation, which encourages local audiences to support Arab films and filmmakers in the region.
Interested?
The On Arab Geographies programme of screenings and talks will be held in Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, UAE from 4 till 6 May, 2017.
The programme is open to the public and free of charge.
posted from Bloggeroid
Friday, 21 April 2017
Muis says exhumation project news is fake
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has issued a statement about a message on social media stating that Muis will be conducting exhumation of remains for Block 6, 7 and 8 at the Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery.
"This message is not true," Muis said, explaining the proper procedures for an exhumation project. "Muis has not received any notification of any upcoming exhumation exercise."
According to Muis, the exhumation office located beside Masjid Pusara Aman is currently closed and not manned.
Interested?
Read the message on the Muis website at www.muis.gov.sg
"This message is not true," Muis said, explaining the proper procedures for an exhumation project. "Muis has not received any notification of any upcoming exhumation exercise."
According to Muis, the exhumation office located beside Masjid Pusara Aman is currently closed and not manned.
Interested?
Read the message on the Muis website at www.muis.gov.sg
posted from Bloggeroid
Thursday, 20 April 2017
Muis releases Ramadhan 2017 calendar
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has announced that the month of Ramadhan will begin on 27 May 2017 and end on 24 June 2017.
Dawn begins at 5.24am and is at 5.28am on the last day of Ramadhan. Sunset will be at 7.09pm when Ramadhan starts and will end at 7.14 pm on 29 Ramadhan, the last day of the month.
Interested?
Download the Imsakiah Ramadhan 2017 schedule at http://www.muis.gov.sg
(PDF)
Dawn begins at 5.24am and is at 5.28am on the last day of Ramadhan. Sunset will be at 7.09pm when Ramadhan starts and will end at 7.14 pm on 29 Ramadhan, the last day of the month.
Interested?
Download the Imsakiah Ramadhan 2017 schedule at http://www.muis.gov.sg
(PDF)
posted from Bloggeroid
Wednesday, 19 April 2017
Pergas uses mobile app for recycling, fund-raising
Pergas, the Singapore Islamic scholars and religious teachers association, is helping waste management efforts in Singapore with the Recycle@PERGAS app, which allows consumers to have their recyclables collected on demand.
Provided by the Sapphiro Group, the app supports the four official languages and allows home owners to book a collection time for recyclables within working hours, which are Monday to Saturday, between 9am and 5pm, islandwide.
Pergas is also using the app for the collection of used items for fund-raising. These will be collected by volunteers from Buana Trading wearing white Pergas t-shirts carrying the logo on the left part of the chest, and the word 'VOLUNTEER' at the back.
Interested?
Download the app from the App store or Google Play
Call +65 8262 3555 with enquiries about the volunteer initiative.
Provided by the Sapphiro Group, the app supports the four official languages and allows home owners to book a collection time for recyclables within working hours, which are Monday to Saturday, between 9am and 5pm, islandwide.
Pergas is also using the app for the collection of used items for fund-raising. These will be collected by volunteers from Buana Trading wearing white Pergas t-shirts carrying the logo on the left part of the chest, and the word 'VOLUNTEER' at the back.
Interested?
Download the app from the App store or Google Play
Call +65 8262 3555 with enquiries about the volunteer initiative.
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
Pergas offers Eid goodies, delivered over Ramadhan
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| Source: Pergas. Poster for Kuih Raya Oleh Ustazah. |
The Kuih Raya Oleh Ustazah (editor's note: Eid goodies from religious teachers) initiative will deliver three types of Raya cookies for Eid to homes over Ramadhan at S$70 per set of:
- 500g chocolate chip cookies
- 500g florentines
- 1kg steamed cake
Make an order by May 31 (site is in Malay)
Monday, 17 April 2017
Key figure in development of Muslim affairs in Singapore passes away
One of Singapore’s founding fathers and the person who laid the foundation of the administration of Muslim affairs in Singapore, Haji
Othman Wok, has passed away. He was formerly the Minister for Social Affairs and Minister for Culture for Singapore.
Said the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) in a statement, "With his passing, the community has lost a strong leader who sought tirelessly to uplift the community. His significant contributions not only create a deep impact on the lives of the Singaporean Muslims but have also enabled them to grow and prosper as the nation grew."
Muis notes that Ex-minister Othman's greatest legacy is the development of the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) together with the late Professor Ahmad Ibrahim. AMLA made the establishment of Muis, the Syariah Court and the Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) possible.
"This was a manifestation of his foresight in building institutions which would build and serve the community," said Muis. "He played a big role in establishing the Mosque Building Fund (MBF)*, at a time when resources had to be mobilised to build new mosques for the community as the nation underwent rapid urbanisation. Through this fund, the community has been able to build 26 new multifunction mosques, offering many programmes for religious learning and social development which benefit the community and beyond till this day. The use of the fund has since then also been expanded to include upgrading of old mosques and religious education."
Othman was also involved in setting up the Singapore Pilgrimage Office, Singapore’s first formal system of registration for Hajj activities. "This has helped to establish an efficient and professional management of the haj system that ensure a smooth journey for the Singapore Hajj pilgrims," stated Muis.
Associate Professor Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Singapore, said on his Facebook page that Ex-Minister Othman paved the path towards progress for Singapore's Malay/Muslim community. "Encik Othman also introduced the compulsory registration of Hajj pilgrims to provide them with medical and welfare services. Through his tireless efforts, he laid the strong foundations for the administration of Muslim affairs that the community enjoys today," said Minister Yaacob in a post on the subject.
*Now known as the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF)
Said the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) in a statement, "With his passing, the community has lost a strong leader who sought tirelessly to uplift the community. His significant contributions not only create a deep impact on the lives of the Singaporean Muslims but have also enabled them to grow and prosper as the nation grew."
Muis notes that Ex-minister Othman's greatest legacy is the development of the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) together with the late Professor Ahmad Ibrahim. AMLA made the establishment of Muis, the Syariah Court and the Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) possible.
"This was a manifestation of his foresight in building institutions which would build and serve the community," said Muis. "He played a big role in establishing the Mosque Building Fund (MBF)*, at a time when resources had to be mobilised to build new mosques for the community as the nation underwent rapid urbanisation. Through this fund, the community has been able to build 26 new multifunction mosques, offering many programmes for religious learning and social development which benefit the community and beyond till this day. The use of the fund has since then also been expanded to include upgrading of old mosques and religious education."
Othman was also involved in setting up the Singapore Pilgrimage Office, Singapore’s first formal system of registration for Hajj activities. "This has helped to establish an efficient and professional management of the haj system that ensure a smooth journey for the Singapore Hajj pilgrims," stated Muis.
Associate Professor Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Singapore, said on his Facebook page that Ex-Minister Othman paved the path towards progress for Singapore's Malay/Muslim community. "Encik Othman also introduced the compulsory registration of Hajj pilgrims to provide them with medical and welfare services. Through his tireless efforts, he laid the strong foundations for the administration of Muslim affairs that the community enjoys today," said Minister Yaacob in a post on the subject.
*Now known as the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF)
Create a bouquet or floral crown this Mother's Day
 |
| Source: Bloem Facebook page. Mother's Day event to bring mother and child together. |
Each participant receives a Bloem's Limited Edition Tool Kit, Brunch Meal and the fresh floral components for making a bespoke hand bouquet and floral crown. All creations can be taken home.
Sukri Kadola, Bloem's founder, explained that there is a clear segment of his clientele who are interested in participating at a halal eatery. "Doing business in Singapore is tricky - you want to be focused in your target market and to succeed you've got to have something to offer to your varied tastes and preferences of your customers," he said. "I am Cafe on Haji Lane is a halal establishment."
The Muslim community patronises Bloem mainly for bespoke flowers for wedding events, he said, whereas Bloem also maintains corporate accounts and caters to walk-in shoppers at the Heeren.
"I need to diversify and reach different markets, sometimes requiring me to repurpose my offerings and be sensitive to their requirements. If you make a small effort, you'll get noticed," he said.
Interested?
Event: Crown Her With Flowers
Date: May 14, 11am to 2pm
Venue: I Am Cafe at (at the corner of Haji Lane & North Bridge Rd), Level 2
Cost: S$140/person or S$280 for a mother-child couple. Mother-child couples pay S$270 if they register before 30 April. Limited to 10 pairs per workshop. Confirm reservations with a 50% downpayment.
Cost: S$140/person or S$280 for a mother-child couple. Mother-child couples pay S$270 if they register before 30 April. Limited to 10 pairs per workshop. Confirm reservations with a 50% downpayment.
Call Norin at +65 9424 7767 to register, or to enquire about the May 13 event
Sunday, 16 April 2017
Why Viva Kuwait's YouTube ad got so many views in Ramadhan 2016
Starcom Mediavest Group and Caviar Creative won the first Lantern award for delivering the most engaging video advertisement on YouTube during the Ramadhan season with a campaign for telecommunications provider VIVA Kuwait in 2016.
Described on the Think with Google blog, the media and creative agencies decided to take a different approach instead of running TV advertisements which are then repurposed for YouTube and print. The companies decide to go directly to made-for-YouTube content instead, centred on a locally-relevant theme: guests losing their cookware after bringing food to someone else's home, delivered with the same fast-paced comedic tone that had been used with Viva's 2015 Ramadhan campaign.
“Go native: use all your resources to make the story local, relevant and close to the heart of the target audience. In this case, sharing food is a big part of Kuwaiti culture, but what’s more interesting is what happens after the food is delivered, and the odyssey that many a dish might be misplaced before being reunited with its rightful owner,” says Haitham Al-Hajji, Managing Partner, Caviar Creative on the Think with Google post.
By using sequential storytelling, the team created a situation for users to eagerly anticipate what would happen next, in order to create high engagement within social media channels. The teaser video had a view completion rate of 94%, while the second part delivered a view completion rate of 100%.
“Go native: use all your resources to make the story local, relevant and close to the heart of the target audience. In this case, sharing food is a big part of Kuwaiti culture, but what’s more interesting is what happens after the food is delivered, and the odyssey that many a dish might be misplaced before being reunited with its rightful owner,” says Haitham Al-Hajji, Managing Partner, Caviar Creative on the Think with Google post.
By using sequential storytelling, the team created a situation for users to eagerly anticipate what would happen next, in order to create high engagement within social media channels. The teaser video had a view completion rate of 94%, while the second part delivered a view completion rate of 100%.
Mark Khoury, Client Managing Director at Starcom Mediavest Group, suggested that brands "start big, buy smart and go for high reach and impact". "Keep your eyes open and optimise, optimise, optimise – fine-tuning the intensity as needed will drive results,” he advised on the Think with Google post.
Interested?
Watch the Viva Kuwait video
Saturday, 15 April 2017
China Huiyuan Juice Group, Yeo Hiap Seng to launch halal beverages
The China Huiyuan Juice Group will launch a new juice brand, YAMI to Malaysia in conjunction with Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo's), a well-known food and beverage company in Malaysia. It will be the Huiyuan Juice Group's first fruit juice beverage product in Malaysia.
In March 2016, Huiyuan and Yeo's, agreed to establish a joint venture to build up a long-term strategic advantage in the international market. The joint venture, established January 2017, will take advantage of Malaysia's stable political and economic environment and enable Huiyuan to expand its business to other ASEAN countries with preferential terms on tariffs and trade while perfecting alignment with local halal product regulations. The joint venture will focus first on Singapore and Malaysia, and then expand to countries like Cambodia and
Myanmar thereafter.
Huiyuan is also planning to import products that suit the Chinese market and consumers into China by taking advantage of resources from the joint venture and selling them through related channels.
By focusing on Malaysia and Singapore in its first phase of development, the joint venture established by Huiyuan and Yeo Hiap Seng will launch juice products under the joint venture brand YAMI. YAMI beverages are designed to appeal to the tastes and preferences of Southeast Asian consumers and will be sold through local sales channels related to Yeo Hiap Seng.
Huiyuan and Yeo Hiap Seng will launch their first YAMI beverage product in May. With juice content of up to 10%, the beverages will feature apple, pear, orange and white grape flavours, and will be available in 250ml tetrapaks as well as 350ml bottles. This launch will be closely followed by another functional juice beverage with the addition of iron, calcium, dietary fibre and collagen and other nutrients, which will be available in four flavours - orange, red grape, mango and grapefruit.
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| Source: Huiyuan Juice. The first product, YAMI juices. |
Huiyuan is also planning to import products that suit the Chinese market and consumers into China by taking advantage of resources from the joint venture and selling them through related channels.
By focusing on Malaysia and Singapore in its first phase of development, the joint venture established by Huiyuan and Yeo Hiap Seng will launch juice products under the joint venture brand YAMI. YAMI beverages are designed to appeal to the tastes and preferences of Southeast Asian consumers and will be sold through local sales channels related to Yeo Hiap Seng.
Huiyuan and Yeo Hiap Seng will launch their first YAMI beverage product in May. With juice content of up to 10%, the beverages will feature apple, pear, orange and white grape flavours, and will be available in 250ml tetrapaks as well as 350ml bottles. This launch will be closely followed by another functional juice beverage with the addition of iron, calcium, dietary fibre and collagen and other nutrients, which will be available in four flavours - orange, red grape, mango and grapefruit.
Masjid Yusof Ishak opens in Singapore
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| Source: Masjid Yusof Ishak Facebook page. |
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Puan Noor Aishah, wife of the late Yusof Ishak, Singapore's first president, have officiated the opening of Masjid Yusof Ishak in Woodlands.
"Masjid Yusof Ishak is truly ours to have. Let's continue his legacy in promoting education, religious and racial harmony," states a post on the Masjid Yusof Ishak Facebook page.
Masjid Yusof Ishak is designed with unique architecture that blends traditional mosque characteristics, with Nusantara (editor's note: Indonesian) heritage. The new landmark in Woodlands will cater to the socio-religious needs of the Muslim community in north Singapore. The mosque will have numerous facilities to cater to the needs of the elderly and more spaces for family prayer. There are a number of community spaces, including a multipurpose hall, conference room, auditorium, seminar rooms as well as a roof terrace.
"Masjid Yusof Ishak is truly ours to have. Let's continue his legacy in promoting education, religious and racial harmony," states a post on the Masjid Yusof Ishak Facebook page.
Masjid Yusof Ishak is designed with unique architecture that blends traditional mosque characteristics, with Nusantara (editor's note: Indonesian) heritage. The new landmark in Woodlands will cater to the socio-religious needs of the Muslim community in north Singapore. The mosque will have numerous facilities to cater to the needs of the elderly and more spaces for family prayer. There are a number of community spaces, including a multipurpose hall, conference room, auditorium, seminar rooms as well as a roof terrace.
This 4,500-capacity mosque is the 26th mosque funded by the Muslim community through the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF). Masjid Maarof, opened earlier this year, also depended on MBMF funds.
Interested?
Masjid Yusof Ishak is at 10 Woodlands Drive 17, Woodlands, Singapore.
Watch videos of the opening activities
Read the blog posts on the update on MBMF and the opening of Masjid Maarof in Suroor Asia
Read the blog posts on the update on MBMF and the opening of Masjid Maarof in Suroor Asia
posted from Bloggeroid
Thursday, 13 April 2017
Ramadhan represents uptick in e-commerce sales in SEA
+Online sales and website traffic start increasing three weeks before Ramadhan in Southeast Asia (SEA)
+E-commerce sales spiked by 110% during the third week of Ramadhan
+Shoppers spend less time browsing and shopping online during sunset
+Mobile continues to be a key driver for discovery and sales with an increase of 126% during Ramadhan
Criteo, the performance marketing technology company, has released seasonal data to help e-commerce businesses better engage consumers during the festive season.
It revealed that online sales and traffic increased in the lead up to and during Ramadhan, but declined during Eid el-Fitr (Hari Raya), the holiday that marks the end of Ramadhan. Based on consumers’ online browsing and buying activity, the three weeks leading up to Ramadhan, and also the third week of Ramadhan represent the biggest opportunity for retailers to engage consumers when they are actively browsing and purchasing items for upcoming celebrations. During this period, there was an average of 67% uplift in online retail sales and 14% uplift in online travel sales.
Criteo’s data also revealed that Ramadhan traditions influence shoppers’ behaviour throughout the day. To engage with shoppers, retailers need to know when they are most active online. During the fasting period between sunrise and sunset, e-commerce transactions were lower at 71%, compared to 76% for the period prior to Ramadhan. However, after breaking fast, there is an increase in e-commerce sales to 29%, from 24% pre-Ramadhan, representing a timely opportunity for retailers to reach out to shoppers.
Understanding how and what shoppers are buying is also crucial. With 37% of onsite retail conversions happening on the mobile app, retailers need to be investing beyond just a mobile-friendly site to an intuitive app. Fashion-related items are the most popular during this period, followed by home and living products and electronics, toys and games.
“Ramadhan is an important festive season in this region. Rapidly rising disposable incomes, a growing appetite for modest fashion, halal products and services mean that retailers need to enlist smart solutions to engage shoppers across all touchpoints and deliver the most impactful content at every point in the customer journey. As shoppers spend time with their friends and families after sundown and on Eid, they are less likely to browse and shop online. Retailers must pick the right time of the week and time of day to increase their digital marketing efforts, so they can achieve an uptick in online transactions,” said Alban Villani, GM, Southeast Asia, Criteo.
Criteo analysed more than 8 million online transactions from 143 retailers based in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Other key findings from the report include:
+Website traffic and e-commerce sales increased from three weeks before Ramadhan and spiked during weeks three and four, with an increase of 110% and 77% respectively.
+During the start of Eid el-Fitr, there was a decline of 44% in online sales and 20% in website traffic. However, in the week post-Eid, online sales rebounded, increasing 35%.
+During weeks three and four of Ramadan, online mass merchants were the biggest growth driver – with an increase of 87% and 52% respectively.
+The cross-device journey was evident – 46% of shoppers were found to be viewing products across multiple devices, with one in four shoppers switching devices at least three times during their purchasing journey.
“In addition, retailers need to embrace omni-channel marketing – as we continue to see the rise of offline-to-online and online-to-offline (O2O) shopping habits. Our data shows that during the period of Ramadhan, shoppers are browsing in stores and purchasing online, and vice-versa. However, whichever way you look, mobile will still be the foundational building block and key driver in O2O retail. Half of the retail transactions in Southeast Asia are already taking place on mobile,” said Villani.
Ramadhan 2017 begins around May 25, 2017. The date varies in different countries depending on the sighting of the moon.
Interested?
Download the infographic on Ramadhan 2016
+E-commerce sales spiked by 110% during the third week of Ramadhan
+Shoppers spend less time browsing and shopping online during sunset
+Mobile continues to be a key driver for discovery and sales with an increase of 126% during Ramadhan
 |
| Source: Criteo infographic. Fashion sells best during Ramadhan. |
Criteo, the performance marketing technology company, has released seasonal data to help e-commerce businesses better engage consumers during the festive season.
It revealed that online sales and traffic increased in the lead up to and during Ramadhan, but declined during Eid el-Fitr (Hari Raya), the holiday that marks the end of Ramadhan. Based on consumers’ online browsing and buying activity, the three weeks leading up to Ramadhan, and also the third week of Ramadhan represent the biggest opportunity for retailers to engage consumers when they are actively browsing and purchasing items for upcoming celebrations. During this period, there was an average of 67% uplift in online retail sales and 14% uplift in online travel sales.
Criteo’s data also revealed that Ramadhan traditions influence shoppers’ behaviour throughout the day. To engage with shoppers, retailers need to know when they are most active online. During the fasting period between sunrise and sunset, e-commerce transactions were lower at 71%, compared to 76% for the period prior to Ramadhan. However, after breaking fast, there is an increase in e-commerce sales to 29%, from 24% pre-Ramadhan, representing a timely opportunity for retailers to reach out to shoppers.
Understanding how and what shoppers are buying is also crucial. With 37% of onsite retail conversions happening on the mobile app, retailers need to be investing beyond just a mobile-friendly site to an intuitive app. Fashion-related items are the most popular during this period, followed by home and living products and electronics, toys and games.
“Ramadhan is an important festive season in this region. Rapidly rising disposable incomes, a growing appetite for modest fashion, halal products and services mean that retailers need to enlist smart solutions to engage shoppers across all touchpoints and deliver the most impactful content at every point in the customer journey. As shoppers spend time with their friends and families after sundown and on Eid, they are less likely to browse and shop online. Retailers must pick the right time of the week and time of day to increase their digital marketing efforts, so they can achieve an uptick in online transactions,” said Alban Villani, GM, Southeast Asia, Criteo.
Criteo analysed more than 8 million online transactions from 143 retailers based in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Other key findings from the report include:
+Website traffic and e-commerce sales increased from three weeks before Ramadhan and spiked during weeks three and four, with an increase of 110% and 77% respectively.
+During the start of Eid el-Fitr, there was a decline of 44% in online sales and 20% in website traffic. However, in the week post-Eid, online sales rebounded, increasing 35%.
+During weeks three and four of Ramadan, online mass merchants were the biggest growth driver – with an increase of 87% and 52% respectively.
+The cross-device journey was evident – 46% of shoppers were found to be viewing products across multiple devices, with one in four shoppers switching devices at least three times during their purchasing journey.
“In addition, retailers need to embrace omni-channel marketing – as we continue to see the rise of offline-to-online and online-to-offline (O2O) shopping habits. Our data shows that during the period of Ramadhan, shoppers are browsing in stores and purchasing online, and vice-versa. However, whichever way you look, mobile will still be the foundational building block and key driver in O2O retail. Half of the retail transactions in Southeast Asia are already taking place on mobile,” said Villani.
Ramadhan 2017 begins around May 25, 2017. The date varies in different countries depending on the sighting of the moon.
Interested?
Download the infographic on Ramadhan 2016
posted from Bloggeroid
Vegan supplement to enhance cognitive function
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| Source: Senescence Life Sciences website. EDGE is vegan. |
Targeted at professionals, parents and health enthusiasts between 30 and 55 years, EDGE is formulated by neuroscientists and is based on natural ingredients which are clinically proven to support cognitive function and combat brain ageing over the long term. Key ingredients include ginseng and gotu kola (Centella Asiatica, also called the Asiatic pennywort). Gotu kola appears to be promising for various conditions, from wound healing to preventing seizures. This 2010 meta review notes that it can increase attention span, concentration and combat ageing. Ginseng has also shown promise in cognitive tests, such as with this 2012 experiment.
“With hectic urban lifestyles in a booming Asian economy, young professionals are more prone to the harmful effects of brain ageing than ever before. Often viewed as a concern for the elderly, research shows that brain ageing can occur as young as in your twenties. The birth of EDGE was fuelled by the rising need for an effective solution to help young professionals combat the mental struggles of modern-day working habits,” said Dr Shawn Watson, neuroscientist, founder and CEO, Senescence Life Sciences.
Dr Watson explained that EDGE is different from existing supplements which are positioned in the same space. “Many supplements may tout cognitive benefits and clinical research, but then bring to market low-quality products that are far less effective to those tested in the lab. This is the gap our company closes. Our products not only use clinical-grade ingredients, but are designed together with leading neuroscientists to maximise efficacy. EDGE is the solution for those looking to maintain their brain’s peak performance so they can be faster, sharper and better at meeting the increasing demands of urban lifestyles.”
Manufactured under stringent conditions in a Health Canada, US-FDA approved and GMP-certified facility in Canada, EDGE consistently tests four to 100 times better than Health Canada’s minimum requirements. Senescence Life Sciences says that while some improvements in energy can be noticed after taking the product for as little as two weeks, the product is designed for long term use and significant benefits can be seen after three months.
Interested?
Buy Edge. The product contains no animal ingredients. A month's supply costs S$80.
Islamic art of illumination workshop available this May in Melbourne
Tezhip – The Islamic Art of Illumination is a two-day workshop held at the Islamic Museum of Australia over a weekend in May. The art of Turkish tezhip (التذهيب ), which refers to decorating with gold, is the ancient art of illuminating (decorating) manuscripts.
Course instructor Gulay Pelin is one of Australia's most unique miniaturists. Pelin draws on the symbolism of the traditional miniature, paper marbling, and gilding in the Ottoman style to create her own contemporary interpretations.
Interested?
Tezhip – The Islamic Art of Illumination
May 13 and 14, 2017
11am to 4pm
Islamic Museum of Australia
15A Anderson Road, Thornbury 3071, Melbourne, Australia.
A$110
All equipment and materials will be provided. The hands-on course is suitable for all levels of experience.
Tuesday, 11 April 2017
Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi shares Ramadhan promotions
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| Source: Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi. Food from the Kuzbara restaurant. |
After iftar guests can enjoy the rooftop breeze and take in the Abu Dhabi skyline while indulging in shisha. Ramadhan sweets complemented by a selection of teas and Arabic coffee will be available.
A suhoor set menu is served daily, from 11pm to 2am.
For groups of 25 or more people, a private ballroom can be transformed into an Arabic oasis with antique lanterns and exquisite food for your private iftar buffet service.
To make a reservation, contact a member of the events team at +971 2304 7777.
David Lance, GM, Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi said, "In one of the most important periods in the Islamic calendar, the holy month of Ramadhan is characterised by prayer, reflection and fasting, as well as the centuries-old tradition of sharing iftar and suhoor meals among families and friends after sunset and prayers. This will be our first Ramadhans since the hotel opening in September 2016 and I hope we can welcome many guests for an authentic experience in our hotel.”
For a family getaway or staycation throughout Ramadhan, Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi has a special offer for UAE residents:
Kuzbara iftar: AED165 per person (excludes 20% fees)
Private iftar: Starting from AED140 per person
Private iftar: Starting from AED140 per person
Interested?
Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi
Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Kuzbara is open from from 6.30am to 10pm daily during Ramadhan
SMIIC adopts new guidelines for occupational safety and health
General Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) has been adopted by the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC) as the OIC/SMIIC 5 standard.
Voting on the adoption of General Guidelines on OSH as an OIC/SMIIC standard was completed on 7 April 2017 by SMIIC member states, and accumulated enough votes to be adopted as an OIC/SMIIC 5 standard.
The approved final draft of the standard was prepared by the OIC Network for Occupational Safety and Health (OIC-OSHNET) and the relevant studies for standardisation were taken by SMIIC upon request of the labour ministers of OIC Member States during the 3rd Islamic Conference on Labour Ministers (ICLM) which was held in Jakarta in 2015.
Voting on the adoption of General Guidelines on OSH as an OIC/SMIIC standard was completed on 7 April 2017 by SMIIC member states, and accumulated enough votes to be adopted as an OIC/SMIIC 5 standard.
The approved final draft of the standard was prepared by the OIC Network for Occupational Safety and Health (OIC-OSHNET) and the relevant studies for standardisation were taken by SMIIC upon request of the labour ministers of OIC Member States during the 3rd Islamic Conference on Labour Ministers (ICLM) which was held in Jakarta in 2015.
Almarai leverages Youtube to reach KSA population in 10 days
In May 2016, dairy and food company Almarai unveiled its biggest product innovation of the year – powdered milk. Due to the high consumption of the product during Ramadhan, Almarai wanted to launch the product in the 10 days preceding Ramadhan.
With just 10 days to build awareness, advertising agency Mediavest decided not to go with TV, which would require a longer lead time, and planned a 10-day YouTube campaign instead.
Ramzi Ghanem - EVP - MD Publicis Media – KSA, said in a Google case study that YouTube was appropriate as it has over 90% reach on the mobile population in Saudi Arabia. "The YouTube blast was a new take on YouTube – it provided us with an opportunity for the first time to build high levels of targeted frequency-controlled reach in a short timeframe,” he said.
Mediavest used the TrueView format, for which an advertiser is only charged when a user watches at least 30 seconds of the ad*. Additionally, Almarai conducted a brand lift survey simultaneously to see what was working well and what could be finetuned. Mediavest Riyadh planners studied the metrics daily so that the strategy could be modified on a daily basis.
The ads went viral. On the first day, they reached 3.5 million unique users in KSA, over a quarter (27%) of the YouTube population. By the end of the 10-day campaign, the campaign had reached 6.5 million unique users in KSA.
Watch the powdered milk video in English or in Arabic. At the time of writing the Arabic version had been viewed nearly 7 million times
Download the Almarai case study (PDF)
*If the advertisment is shorter than 30 seconds, the brand is only charged when a user watches the full ad.
With just 10 days to build awareness, advertising agency Mediavest decided not to go with TV, which would require a longer lead time, and planned a 10-day YouTube campaign instead.
Ramzi Ghanem - EVP - MD Publicis Media – KSA, said in a Google case study that YouTube was appropriate as it has over 90% reach on the mobile population in Saudi Arabia. "The YouTube blast was a new take on YouTube – it provided us with an opportunity for the first time to build high levels of targeted frequency-controlled reach in a short timeframe,” he said.
Mediavest used the TrueView format, for which an advertiser is only charged when a user watches at least 30 seconds of the ad*. Additionally, Almarai conducted a brand lift survey simultaneously to see what was working well and what could be finetuned. Mediavest Riyadh planners studied the metrics daily so that the strategy could be modified on a daily basis.
The ads went viral. On the first day, they reached 3.5 million unique users in KSA, over a quarter (27%) of the YouTube population. By the end of the 10-day campaign, the campaign had reached 6.5 million unique users in KSA.
Interested?
Watch the powdered milk video in English or in Arabic. At the time of writing the Arabic version had been viewed nearly 7 million times
Download the Almarai case study (PDF)
*If the advertisment is shorter than 30 seconds, the brand is only charged when a user watches the full ad.
Monday, 10 April 2017
Muhammadiyah Welfare Home is recruiting volunteers
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| The 5S rules at MWH include patience, smiling, and courtesy. |
The boys at MWH come from diverse backgrounds. Some are victims of abuse and neglect, juvenile offenders and beyond parental control. Others are orphans or come from disadvantaged families.
MWH is leaving things open-ended to accommodate as much as potential volunteers can commit. "We can tailor things around what you are willing to give," said Dr Mariam Aljunied, MWH Management Committee Member. "Some volunteers have committed to visiting once a month, or helping on the day of an event. Others come regularly for six to 12 months at a stretch."
Volunteer opportunities in 2017 include helping out in the planning or on the day at scheduled events such as the Family Carnival on 20 May, and Flag Day on 29 July. Volunteers can also conduct life skill workshops, help to spruce up parts of the premises, sponsor meals and treats, especially during festive occasions.
For the month of Ramadhan (beginning May 25), MWH welcomes donations of food for iftar (the break-fast meal at sunset), and sponsorships of the new clothing including shoes traditionally worn for Hari Raya (June 26).
"We've had volunteers who come to read to the younger boys, or teach the guitar," said Aljunied. "We would like people who can commit for the longer term."
Aljunied added that on-premise activities are encouraged so that the boys who are not allowed to leave the premises by court order can also participate.
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| One of the dormitories. The rooms at MWH are typically painted and decorated by volunteers, with the boys' help. |
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| The seven steps to happiness. |
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| At MWH good behaviour is incentivised through a bonus merit point system in which the boys may exchange the points they have earned for items at a minimart. A recent wishlist for minimart items included watches, snacks, beverages, school bags, and socks. Mall or supermarket vouchers in small denominations are increasingly popular. |
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| Source: MWH. Poster calling for volunteers. |
Interested?
MWH is at 58 Bedok North St 3. Speak to Mr Iskandar at +65 6345 6113 to find out more
Read the Suroor Asia blog post about MWH's Family & Charity Carnival 2016
posted from Bloggeroid
Sunday, 9 April 2017
Lee Kum Kee introduces halal-certified Asian Twist Dressings
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| May Lim, MD– South East Asia, Middle East, Africa & India of Lee Kum Kee (right) and Chef John See (left) at the World Gourmet Summit Opening Reception, holding Asian Twist Dressing bottles. Source: Lee Kum Kee International Holdings. |
Renowned for the invention of oyster sauce and its premium quality for over a century, Lee Kum Kee, one of the world's most recognisable names for Chinese sauces and condiments, continues to support World Gourmet Summit 2017 (WGS) in Singapore with its mission of Promoting Chinese Cuisines Worldwide. As the Premium Sauce Partner of the event, the Hong Kong brand has highlighted its new range of halal-certified Asian Twist Dressings and extensive array of sauces with dishes prepared by local star chef John See at the Awards of Excellence (AOE) Presentation Ceremony & WGS Opening Reception late last month.
At the opening reception of the WGS 2017, Lee Kum Kee presented three dishes tailored by Chef See, including quenelle of lobster seafood dumpling with a drizzle of Lee Kum Kee Asian Twist Japanese Style Dressing, and Lee Kum Kee Plum Sauce on lemon-grapefruit tart with gold leaf. The Lee Kum Kee Vietnamese Style Lemon Dressing from the Asian Twist range was also featured. All three sauces can be served as dressing for salads, dipping sauce, or as an addition to hot dishes.
"As a global leader of authentic Chinese sauces with 129 years of history, we are honoured to participate in WGS again this year, presenting our brand new sauces to all food connoisseurs. Singapore is one of our most important markets. Since we entered the region in the 1980s, Lee Kum Kee's quality sauces and condiments have won recognition and become the most preferred Asian sauce brand for chefs and consumers. With Constant Entrepreneurship as a corporate value, Lee Kum Kee will continue to drive innovation, bringing in more new products to meet the diverse taste and dietary preferences of Singapore consumers," said May Lim, MD – South East Asia, Middle East, Africa & India, Lee Kum Kee.
Inaugurated in 1997, the WGS is a globally recognised platform gathering professional chefs from the international and local culinary arena for knowledge exchange and the development of the catering industry. Widely regarded as one of the most respected accolades in Singapore and around the region, the AOE honours outstanding companies and individuals for their achievements in the food and beverage (F&B) and hospitality industries.
Lee Kum Kee has developed a wide range of products and broad geographic reach, offering over 200 choices of sauces and condiments to more than 100 countries and regions.
Hashtag: #LeeKumKee
Saturday, 8 April 2017
Singapore represented at ASEAN Quran recital competition
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has sent representatives to participate in a Quran memorisation and recital competition in Malaysia. Ustazah Nurul ‘Izzah Binte Khamsani and Ustaz Syarafuddeen Bin Mazlan Abdullah will be representing Singapore in the ASEAN Al-Quran Recital Competition.
posted from Bloggeroid
posted from Bloggeroid
Thursday, 6 April 2017
Emirates Islamic donates to Tarahum Charity Foundation
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| Source: Emirates Islamic. From left: Awatif Al Harmoodi, GM, Operational Quality & Processes, Emirates Islamic, and Amin Al Khaja, Board Member and GM, Tarahum Foundation. |
Emirates Islamic, an Islamic financial institution in the UAE, has contributed AED9 million to the Tarahum Charity Foundation.
The bank has been a regular contributor to charitable humanitarian causes and has contributed over AED50 million in 2016 through its Emirates Islamic Charity Fund. With its contribution to the Tarahum Foundation, they hopes to reach out to the wider community and provide support on an individual basis.
Awatif Al Harmoodi, GM, Operational Quality & Processes, Emirates Islamic said, “Tarahum Foundation helps Emirates Islamic to reach out to individuals who have specific needs, and we are very pleased to lend our support to them. As a bank that is committed to serving the community in which it operates, we hope to support the disadvantaged people of the UAE through our contributions.”
Amin Al Khaja, Board Member and GM for the Tarahum Foundation, said: "We thank Emirates Islamic for its continued support and cooperation with the Tarahum Charity Foundation. The bank’s invaluable service in providing the much-needed financial support has contributed significantly to the humanitarian activities of the foundation. "
The Emirates Islamic Charity Fund provides financial aid under several initiatives, including food, shelter, health, education and social welfare. The fund was set up with the primary objective of allocation of financial aid to large charities, public and private institutions, as well as individuals in need.
Wednesday, 5 April 2017
SEDA Malaysia calls on religious bodies to generate their own energy and resell the excess
The Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) encourages schools, religious bodies, and NGOs that have their own premises to consider applying for SEDA Malaysia Solar PV Community quota. Photovoltaic cells (PV) are capable of generating energy through absorbing sunlight.
“This year (2017), SEDA Malaysia has allocated 5MW under the community quota and those that qualify under the community quota should look into installing Solar PV as a means of generating long term income for their respective schools, religious bodies and NGOs,” said Malaysia chairman YBhg Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai after inspecting the Solar PV installation at SJKC Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu.
“SEDA Malaysia started the Solar PV Community scheme in 2014 with the objective of encouraging schools, religious bodies and NGOs to participate in sustainable green energy generation that will be beneficial to them and the environment. By investing in the installation of Solar PV at their premise and selling the energy generated to the utility company, they are able to generate income for the next 21 years, where for example, a 24kW Solar PV will see a return of an estimated average payment of RM 3,000 (based on current rates),’’said Dr Yee.
There are about 35 schools, religious bodies and NGOs that have been granted and approved for Solar PV Community quota in Sabah. One such school is SJKC Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu. Since 2015, the school have enjoyed a monthly average of about RM3,000 income from sale of energy generated from its 24kW Solar PV installation.
“As a result of installing the solar PV on the school’s rooftop, the school will enjoy a steady income for the next 21 years, that will be utilised for the school’s maintenance as well as funding the school activities. This will be beneficial to the school and the students as the school now has a mean to generate its own income to finance not only the upkeep of the school but also organise more school activities for the benefit of the students,” said Datuk William Chu, the school board of governors’ Chairman.
He also shared that the school have also recently added another 24kW to further boost its income.
Interested?
Applications for the Feed-in Tariff scheme (FiT) under the community quota are open until 30 August 2017
“This year (2017), SEDA Malaysia has allocated 5MW under the community quota and those that qualify under the community quota should look into installing Solar PV as a means of generating long term income for their respective schools, religious bodies and NGOs,” said Malaysia chairman YBhg Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai after inspecting the Solar PV installation at SJKC Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu.
“SEDA Malaysia started the Solar PV Community scheme in 2014 with the objective of encouraging schools, religious bodies and NGOs to participate in sustainable green energy generation that will be beneficial to them and the environment. By investing in the installation of Solar PV at their premise and selling the energy generated to the utility company, they are able to generate income for the next 21 years, where for example, a 24kW Solar PV will see a return of an estimated average payment of RM 3,000 (based on current rates),’’said Dr Yee.
There are about 35 schools, religious bodies and NGOs that have been granted and approved for Solar PV Community quota in Sabah. One such school is SJKC Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu. Since 2015, the school have enjoyed a monthly average of about RM3,000 income from sale of energy generated from its 24kW Solar PV installation.
“As a result of installing the solar PV on the school’s rooftop, the school will enjoy a steady income for the next 21 years, that will be utilised for the school’s maintenance as well as funding the school activities. This will be beneficial to the school and the students as the school now has a mean to generate its own income to finance not only the upkeep of the school but also organise more school activities for the benefit of the students,” said Datuk William Chu, the school board of governors’ Chairman.
He also shared that the school have also recently added another 24kW to further boost its income.
Interested?
Applications for the Feed-in Tariff scheme (FiT) under the community quota are open until 30 August 2017
Malaysia, Indonesia universities win IsDB Prizes for Science and Technology
The 15th IsDB Prizes for Science and Technology have been announced, and two of the winners are from Southeast Asia:
• Universitas Indonesia has been awarded a prize for its overall outstanding contribution to social and economic development
• Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti, Teknologi, Malaysia, which has won for most outstanding contribution in a given scientific field
Established in 1849, it is among the oldest tertiary institutions in Indonesia and among the top universities of the world. Over the years, its scholarly work has had significant scientific technological, socioeconomic, and environmental impact in Indonesia. In the last five years the university has contributed to the development of human resources in Indonesia as well as the region by awarding a large number of graduates and post graduates degrees. It has also published in the same period huge number of impactful books and scientific articles. The university has registered a large number of patents and inventions, of which many have been either commercialised or industrialised. The university helped increase the value of local resources through its research by developing techniques for manufacturing of palm oil derivatives and fuel additives which has benefited Indonesian companies.
The Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (FCEE) is a recognised center for research and development and education in the areas of biotechnology and natural products, membrane technology, process systems, hydrogen economy and energy in general. The staff of FCEE produce over 400 scientific articles in one year alone. Pioneering work at the FCEE has led to the development of advanced membranes that can be used for gas separation in the oil and gas industry, water and waste water treatments as well as sea water desalination. FCEE has 78 patents, with 32 products commercialised. In the last five years, FCEE has awarded 132 PhD degrees and 808 MSc degrees.
“I would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s competition,” said Dr Bandar Hajjar, President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). “IsDB is proud of their inspiring feats in the field of scientific and technological research. I hope other universities and scientific centres in member countries benefit from these admirable examples.”
The prize was established in 2002 to promote science and technology excellence and capacity building in IsDB member countries. Each year, three institutions are selected by an independent panel of eminent scientists external to the IsDB to receive the prize in one of three categories. Each prize consists of a cash award of US$100,000 and a trophy.
This year’s prizes will be awarded during the 42nd Annual Meeting of IsDB’s Board of Governors, which will take place in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 17 to 18 May 2017.
• Universitas Indonesia has been awarded a prize for its overall outstanding contribution to social and economic development
• Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti, Teknologi, Malaysia, which has won for most outstanding contribution in a given scientific field
Established in 1849, it is among the oldest tertiary institutions in Indonesia and among the top universities of the world. Over the years, its scholarly work has had significant scientific technological, socioeconomic, and environmental impact in Indonesia. In the last five years the university has contributed to the development of human resources in Indonesia as well as the region by awarding a large number of graduates and post graduates degrees. It has also published in the same period huge number of impactful books and scientific articles. The university has registered a large number of patents and inventions, of which many have been either commercialised or industrialised. The university helped increase the value of local resources through its research by developing techniques for manufacturing of palm oil derivatives and fuel additives which has benefited Indonesian companies.
The Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (FCEE) is a recognised center for research and development and education in the areas of biotechnology and natural products, membrane technology, process systems, hydrogen economy and energy in general. The staff of FCEE produce over 400 scientific articles in one year alone. Pioneering work at the FCEE has led to the development of advanced membranes that can be used for gas separation in the oil and gas industry, water and waste water treatments as well as sea water desalination. FCEE has 78 patents, with 32 products commercialised. In the last five years, FCEE has awarded 132 PhD degrees and 808 MSc degrees.
“I would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s competition,” said Dr Bandar Hajjar, President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). “IsDB is proud of their inspiring feats in the field of scientific and technological research. I hope other universities and scientific centres in member countries benefit from these admirable examples.”
The prize was established in 2002 to promote science and technology excellence and capacity building in IsDB member countries. Each year, three institutions are selected by an independent panel of eminent scientists external to the IsDB to receive the prize in one of three categories. Each prize consists of a cash award of US$100,000 and a trophy.
This year’s prizes will be awarded during the 42nd Annual Meeting of IsDB’s Board of Governors, which will take place in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 17 to 18 May 2017.
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