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Beurger King Muslim

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Beurger King Muslim(also referred to asBKM) was a Frenchhalalfast-food restaurant launched in July 2005.[1][2][3]After widespread media attention when it opened, it permanently closed after less than two years of operation in 2007.[4]The restaurant mimicked Americanfast food restaurants.It was in the suburb ofClichy-sous-Bois,Paris, France,[5]offeringhamburgers,French fries,sundaes,colaanddoughnuts.The beef and chicken used in their burgers werehalal,meaning they are made with meatslaughteredaccording toIslamicdietary laws. It was located in the easternParissuburb of Clichy-sous-Bois, where many locals are first- or second-generation Muslim immigrants from former French colonies.

Name

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The word "Beur" is a French slang word for the second generation of North Africans living in France.[5]"Beur" refers to a "French-born person of North African origin."[6]The word Beurger, therefore, is a play on words, appropriate as the majority of the clients and owners of BKM were from North Africa.[7]

Overview

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All of Beurger King Muslim's food washalal.[1][6]Halal—meaning fit to eat—has to be prepared in specific ways as deemed byIslamic laws.This is part of theMuslim ritual rulesfor food, that include a prohibition onpork.[7]The restaurant substitutes pork-related dishes with other meats, for example, the bacon cheeseburger is made with smokedturkey.Varioussaucesandspicesused by the restaurant were monitored to ensure that they were not made withalcohol,blood, orfats from animalsprohibited from Islamic laws.[1][8]Representatives from an independent certification services came to the restaurant every week to ensure that the restaurant used halal ingredients.[9]

The restaurant's interior was designed to cater to Muslim customers.[1]For example, the toilets had water hoses to accommodate clients, and the menu hadArabic lettering.[1]There was a children's playground. The restaurant closed on Friday, the Muslim Day of Prayer. On Friday, the restaurant re-opened at 4 P.M. and closed at midnight.[9]Muslim female employees were allowed to wear headscarves if they choose to do so, but were not required to do so.[6]

Aside from serving burgers, fries, sundaes and doughnuts,[10]the restaurant also served signature dishes such as 'Bakon Halal', 'Double Koull Cheeseburger' (Koull is a play on the American word "cool").[6]Koull can also mean "to eat" in Arabic), the BKM burger (a burger similar to McDonald'sBig Mac),[5][8][9]and several types of "koull" burgers.

As a result of the halal food, more than 80% of the restaurant's customers were Muslim. While this is responsible for the business' success, it also had a downturn. DuringRamadan,the Muslims' annual fast that lasts for a month, the revenues dropped, according to Ibrahim Dar, by 40 to 50%.[7]

Business

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When the restaurant opened, it gave a boost to the local economy of the Parisian suburb. Project manager Mourad Benhamid said that BKM had provided 28 jobs, and for most of the staff, "ended a long period of unemployment".[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcdeSmith, Craig S. (September 16, 2005)."The Market McDonald's Missed: The Muslim Burger".The New York Times.RetrievedDecember 9,2017.
  2. ^"Muslim Burger King opens in Paris".MCA Insight.Retrieved2021-08-27.
  3. ^"French fast food caters to a new audience: Muslims".Christian Science Monitor.2005-09-08.ISSN0882-7729.Retrieved2021-08-27.
  4. ^"Beurger King Muslim n'est plus".
  5. ^abcdMuslim Beurger bar opens in Paris.BBC News,2 August 2005
  6. ^abcdCauli, Tiziana (September 18, 2005)."Double Cheeseburgers On Muslim Menu at French 'Beurger King'".Washington Post.RetrievedDecember 9,2017.
  7. ^abcRenout, Frank. "French fast food caters to a new audience: Muslims",Christian Science Monitor,September 08, 2005.
  8. ^ab"Fast-food Joint Caters to France's Muslims".Deutsche Welle. 2005-08-14.Retrieved2010-08-04.
  9. ^abcSmith, Craig S. (2005-09-16)."The Market McDonald's Missed: The Muslim Burger".The New York Times.Retrieved2010-08-04.
  10. ^"Muslim-themed 'Beurger King' opens in France",USA Today,8/5/2005.

Further reading

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