Consumers continue boycotting Danish products [Archives:2006/933/Opinion]
Faisal Al-Safwani
The Prophet Mohammed caricatures published by Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten sparked outrage in numerous Islamic societies and nations, including Yemen. Reactions to the prophet caricatures took several forms including public demonstrations, official activities and calls to boycott Danish products, the latter of which was the most prominent reaction. Through the following report, we attempt to register the various reactions, among them boycotting Danish products.
Over the past two months, Yemeni governorates witnessed many mass demonstrations reflecting public anger and denouncing the prophet's disgrace in caricatures published by the Danish paper. Huge marches took place in most Yemeni cities, including Sana'a, Aden, Taiz and Hodeidah, and symposiums were launched in Hadramout. Some traders began burning large quantities of Danish goods.
On February 18, the Mukalla School organized a session under the slogan, “Anything but the prophet,” in the presence of Hadramout's governor and a symposium entitled, “This is our prophet and this is our religion,” was held February 26 at the Sana'a Cultural Center in the presence of Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi. The symposium was organized by Yemen Life Makers Forum in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture.
Additionally, among the consequences of publishing the prophet caricatures were the closing of three private newspapers, their licenses withdrawn on charges of republishing the caricatures. Despite reactions to the issue on Yemeni streets, the call to boycott Danish products is the most prominent reaction. Stickers, brochures and lists of Danish products including dairy, cheese, cosmetics and shampoos have been seen on doors of trade stores, supermarkets and groceries. Brochures also were seen on public transportation.
Brochures warned Yemeni consumers against buying any goods carrying the international No. 5 or 7, considering them trademarks of Danish companies. The call to boycott Danish products was heeded, as perceived via reactions of capital storeowners.
Methaq Al-Qadasi, manager of Happy Land Trade Center, confirmed that the call to boycott Danish goods was welcomed warmly by consumers and traders alike, with the boycott succeeding by 90 percent. “We withdrew and concealed all Danish merchandise,” he added. Consumer attention and concern in recognizing product identity before buying was never seen on the part of Yemeni consumers prior to the call to boycott Danish products.
Regarding Happy Land's damages due to the boycott, Al-Qadasi said, “We never cared about the loss, as the issue was more important than the profit and loss principle. Some Danish companies with branches in Yemen accepted returned commodities. Calculating damages requires a longer period of time.”
Shumailah Hari purchasing manager Ali Al-Qiyadhi mentioned that consumers stopped buying Danish products despite the fact that they showed more tendencies toward Danish commodities before the Danish newspaper published the caricatures. Regarding consequential damages, Al-Qiyadhi noted that the store returned an estimated YR 38 million in Danish commodities to their manufacturers and importers. Some dealers refused returned products saying, “We the dealers are committed to boycotting Danish goods.”
Mohamed Al-Qadri from Hadda Trade Center said an overwhelming majority of consumers boycotted Danish commodities, but he did not mention any particular damage figures, as most importers withdrew the goods from supermarkets and groceries. “We should not fear any loss, as the matter concerns our prophet,” he added. “Some importers replaced Danish product packaging and covers with Turkish ones and then distributed them for sale under the guise that they were produced in Turkey.”
Al-Huda Supermarket manager Mu'tasem Al-Qadasi said Danish goods are concealed and no longer merchandized to consumers. Traders were the first to boycott Danish products and, as a response to consumer desires, they withdrew large quantities of Danish goods while other quantities remained stored or returned to importers. Regarding the amount of Danish products consumed before the boycott, Al-Qadasi said, “We had YR 5 million worth of Danish products when the boycott began.”
Through such meetings with storeowners, the call to boycott Danish products proved a great success, boosted by consumers and traders alike. Damages were avoided as importers withdrew Danish goods from the markets.
Faisal Al-Safwani is a Yemeni journalist
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[archive-e:933-v:14-y:2006-d:2006-03-30-p:opinion]
