Whoever said that “Islamic apparel” cannot be popular, was grossly wrong, because that’s what two South Asian Muslims in the United Kingdom have managed to do. Design Molvi is a unique design boutique that sells islamic clothing catering for the Muslim market by designing bright, colorful, and engaging t-shirts carrying funny ethical and Islamic messages.
The founders, sporting a quintessential Muslim look with their long beards, aim to eradicate ignorance about their religion through the 'medium of humour'.
In Pakistan, a market flooded by small scale apparel businesses selling everything from the weird and wacky to the uber- creative, Design Molvi is a breath of fresh air with its creative and light hearted designs, promoting a soft image of the religion contrary to the 'old fashioned' and 'extremist version of the religion the media shows.
The brand plays on phrases from popular culture to ‘propagate’ the teachings of Islam. A few messages featured on their apparel include:
- I’m a tourist, not a terrorist
- Smile, it’s Sunnah
- My faith, my voice, Islam my choice
- Salah- Just pray it
One of my favorites is a Facebook themed t-shirt with Islam fashioned as a Facebook logo and a message underneath saying ‘Over 1.5 billion people like this, with the now iconic Facebook ‘Thumbs Up LIKE button’
Starting a Facebook page, not so long ago to market the business, they have come a long way with a whopping 50,000+ likes/fans and receiving orders from as far as Pakistan, Middle East and USA as of now.
They have a website as well to compliment their Facebook page, marketing their products, receiving orders and feedback. Products include T-shirts and hoodies with prices ranging from Rs 1000 to almost Rs 4000 exclusive of shipping costs. The site offers three payment options including via Bank Transfer, Debit/Credit card and PayPal too, for customers in countries where the service is available.
Design Molvi's vision for the brand is:
-To spread the message of love and peace all across the globe
-To put the cool back into t-shirt wearing
-To become a market leader in the UK, the Middle East, and the US in the next five years.
The overwhelming response over the past year has encouraged the founders to reach out to all Muslim countries particularly via viral marketing using social media and word of mouth.
Facebook page rating: Two thumbs up for taking the message of Islam mainstream and putting the 'fun' in fundamentalist.
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COMMENTS (19)
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the funniest thing i like about atheists/agnostics/ex-muslims is that they think they are the most intelligent people on earth having been freed from the "yoke" of Islam. If you like living in anarchy, then that is your choice. However, the thing they complain about a lot is that muslims make fun of people of other religions or don't like freedom of speech or religion. You are doing the same. We want to follow our religion, let us do that so what is your problem? Or are you becoming the same thing from which you have "freed" yourself from? I have gone from muslim to atheist to muslim after finding the loopholes within non-religion and then, Isnt it better to follow what Pascal's Wager tells us but combine it with some elements of the Atheist's Wager?
@Gullible Nomore: May the Almighty Allah guide you towards the right track! (Amen)
Thanks for your question Ahmed, your questions are very close to my heart as I'm an active member of the leftist-movement at the University of Oxford, so I'm campaigning on a number of the issues you raise.
As you can understand we can't disclose our costs, but I can tell you that we have had to incur significant fixed costs through set-up expenses so the price of the shirt is considerably higher than your estimate. Design Molvi is a business after all so we have to maintain a profit-making ethos tempered of course with Islamic teachings of benevolence. With this in mind I can guarantee you we are giving away at least 5% of all profits every year to charity, and the actual amount is probably going to be much higher.
As regards to your question regarding shirts, all our shirts are ethically sourced. We only deal with companies that pass both British Industry Standards, as well as our own moral conscience. There are no sweatshops involved in our supply chain and we are very aware of our Islamic responsibility to the environment in all our actions.
JazakAllah khayr for your concern. It is people like you who shape companies for the better. Long may this critique continue so that we may improve.
@Ibrahim Khqn: are you supporting any charity of ;good cause' other then the 'message' on Tee shirt, as a tee shirt costing not more then £3 is selling for £13 ? provided you dont have shop/outlet overheads as such.. good aspect buisness whse but would like to know the 'giving back' to community too, also the production phase, is it ethically produces ( labour wages, environmentally friendly dyes etc..) or just an other example of what Desis doing in Great Britiain, by paying illegal wages at curry and chicken shops and corner stores ( £25 for 12 hours) etc...
Absolutely amazing! These tee's are fab and I would wear every single one of them. They have a meaning to them as well as being funky- great work there guys and keep it up! Will defo be buying these tee's for my family members inshaAllah.
@Ibrahim Khan, thanks for clearing the air of misconceptions. May God help you in your endeavour.
So I'm one of the co-founders of Design Molvi and the last 1-2 months have been such a rollercoaster. The positive response we've had from all across the world has been brilliant to see and it goes to show that anyone with a bit of panache, technical know-how, and flair for the market can do some really amazing work really quickly.
So, I've been reading through some of the comments - and I thank all the well-wishers. I understand of course that some others will have concerns, either regarding the actual effectiveness of the t-shirts in promoting "an Islamic ethical message", or with specific designs. So let me explain:
I study at the University of Oxford, and my founding partners are either students or professionals so we have regular interactions with non-muslims. I personally have been asked a number of times regarding my DesignMolvi t-shirts and polo shirts about what they mean sometimes even by non-muslims, and I know other Design Molvi customers have had the same experience too. So clearly the message of tolerance, living in harmony, and peaceful-Islam is spreading.
With regards to individual t-shirt designs, such as the 1.5B likes one, its just taste I guess! The message behind it is very simple though: It's letting muslims and non-muslims know how big the Muslim ummah is and our responsibilities to look out for each other as part of this ummah. We are making a series of videos on each of our t-shirts to further explain in a fun 3-4 minute clip what exactly the Islamic messages behind the designs are, so watch out for these!
Why so much negativity people???? These are just clothes designed for those who wish to pass on a funny message about Islam without offending anyone. If you do not wish to wear them, do not buy them.
Just what we need to differentiate ourselves between "Us" and "Them" ... If only I could use a 'halal' computer running on 'halal' electricity to type these comments .. that would be awesome...
as if pakistani's didn't wear religion on their sleeves already..
Great thought'''
It should rather say "Over 1.5 billion tagged". As you know, not everyone likes being tagged on FB :)
Religion is a huge business in America and other religious countries, and what these guys are doing is not much different. If they want to portray a 'soft' image of Islam, then without the modernization of interpretations and reformation, its just whitewash and non-acceptance of bitter ground realities. Faith and religion is not and should not be a numbers game. If we objectively look at the 1.5 billion faithful, not many would be considered well-educated, modern, rational thinkers. The claim to 'Fastest Growing Religion' is fallacious, and is attributed to the high birth rates among muslims primarily due to lack of education, ignorance of family planning, and clergy who are against birth control. Should we really take pride in more poverty stricken, hunger and uneducated adherents of the faith?
why why why religion in everything?
awesome!! everyone just keeps blaming... finally a fresh wave. Keep it up! Design Molvis... Hope, some feminist group doesnt arrive and start claiming, put some female element to it ;-)
Its more cringeworthy than cool...
Great Initiative! The messages on the apparel are very nice. my favourite is: My faith, my voice, Islam my choice (Forever)