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Hello and welcome to this week’s Friday Round Up!

This week Muslims around the world are celebrating the mawlid, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. It’s a time of great joy and celebration.

In depth

A fine fragrance: blending traditional calligraphy and perfume artistry with a modern twist. In our AdCritique we are looking at one of a growing number of fragrances targeting the Muslim Middle East market. We look at the importance in culture, history and religion of fragrance, and how artistry and ingredients are crucial in the communication of this product.

 

It’s one of the most important events for Muslims around the world: the celebration of the ‘mawlid’, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Learn more about its meaning, why it’s important to Muslims and how they celebrate it all around the world.

Cheat sheet: sharp insights from Muslim consumer markets this week

Thirteen cultural trends shaping the Gulf in 2013 including ‘shishipupu consumerism’, gender mashup, nu tourism and ‘clean vintage’

Vietnam’s first halal holiday operator to promote Vietnam halal tourism in Indonesia

Western hoteliers targeting Muslim travelers

Cairo International Book Fair, the world’s oldest and largest book fair in the Arab world takes place this week

Indonesian fashion brand is keeping Muslim women ‘Up2date’

“Malaysia is on the way to becoming the Switzerland of Islamic banking. It is a new star to watch.”

An insight into a campaign to promote traditional fragrance in Saudi Arabia by one of the leading retailers, Arabian Oud

The Washington Post explains a new social media campaign called #MyJihad where Muslims reclaim the word ‘jihad’ and what it means to them

You’ve heard of frankincense, but what is it, what are its curative powers and how is it collected in Southern Arabia?

The ‘mighty miswak‘: an Indian columnist reflects on the twigs of the tree recommended Islamically for toothbrushing

“Islamic Relief says businesses have a role to play in disaster risk reduction at the World Islamic Economic Forum”

Muslim investors launch credit union in Texas

Halal tourism’s moment in the sun: Muslim travel spend is growing faster than the global rate. It is the “largest untapped niche market”

Japan: Tourism industry bets on rise in Muslim clients with halal-certified offerings

World Islamic Economic Forum led fascinating sessions at its 8th conference in December in Johor Bahru in Malaysia. Watch some of the highlights and media coverage here

Japanese tourism now catering to Muslims

Some Arab traders call China home