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| Chicago food distributor SUSPENDS all Business with Denmark-based Arla Foods |
| 2006-02-04 |
| iyad Brothers Importing, one of the largest distributors of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food products, announced today it SUSPENDED all business with Denmark-based Arla Foods. Nemer Ziyad, vice president of Ziyad Brothers Importing, said the decision is in response to the insulting and offensive caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed published by Denmark's leading newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, and the growing controversy. "I am furious with what the newspaper did. I am disappointed with the hesitation of the Government of Denmark to speak out against this. I support free speech, but I believe that we must speak out when free speech crosses the line and incites hatred, as the publication of these extremely offensive cartoons have done," Ziyad said. "We have enjoyed a relationship with Arla Foods, acting as the exclusive distributor of three of its most popular products here in the United States. We are encouraged that this issue may be resolved, but until it is properly resolved, we must take this action" Ziyad Brothers Importing is the exclusive American distributor for two of Arla's most popular products, Puck Cheese and Puck Cream, and Lurpak Butter. Ziyad said the three food items are very popular with customers. Ziyad said the decision to suspend the product line will have a significant impact on Ziyad Brothers Importing revenues, but added, "We will always stand by and support our community." Ziyad said, "This isn't just about being Muslim or Arab. What Jyllands-Posten did crossed the line. It is wrong. I would do the same thing in any other similar circumstance involving any other religion. All people have a responsibility to speak out whenever an act of hateful incitement occurs and touches on the community." |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #16 Ziyad is a distributor of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food products. Most of the customers probably support this nonsense. And the Danish products probably aren't a major product line for them. http://www.ziyad.com/index.htm When did Denmark |
| Posted by: Darrell 2006-02-04 20:31 |
| #15 Simple enough: make sure all of Ziyad's customers know. |
| Posted by: Fred 2006-02-04 20:21 |
| #14 A question: Isn't a boycott like this illegal under Interstate Laws of Commerce? Al |
| Posted by: Frozen Al 2006-02-04 19:37 |
| #13 lopt, I have not , but I will, at your suggestion. Thanks for the tip! |
| Posted by: Capsu78 2006-02-04 18:19 |
| #12 good work lotp! |
| Posted by: 2b 2006-02-04 17:10 |
| #11 I just called the Danish embassy in Washington to express my support and to ask if there was a way to get another distributor signed up quickly. He wasn't aware of Ziyad's announcement, but said he'd pass it along to those who might be able to facilitate other distribution channels for Arla's products into the US. Capsu78, if you haven't baked with Danish butter, or eaten products made with it, you've missed out on a wonderful experience. ;-) |
| Posted by: lotp 2006-02-04 16:15 |
| #10 Certainly not The Religious Policeman And not Karzai, who has spoken against the violent protests re: the cartoons. |
| Posted by: lotp 2006-02-04 16:10 |
| #9 Well there goes my "Puck Cream and Cheese dip, with a hint of Lurpak Butter" I was serving tomorrow for my SuperBowl potluck. This will be the WORST SUPERBOWL SUNDAY ever! |
| Posted by: Capsu78 2006-02-04 16:08 |
| #8 I believe that the US has a law to punish any company honoring the official Arab boycott of Israel. Perhaps it is time to expand upon that law. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-02-04 13:42 |
| #7 feel free to boycott Ziyad Bros as well. Let someone else get a foothold in teh distribution biz that supports free speech and Denmark |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-02-04 12:52 |
| #6 Time for the FBI to check Ziyad's money transfers. All of them! |
| Posted by: 3dc 2006-02-04 12:02 |
| #5 Speed the day when the West suspends all business with Islamistan. |
| Posted by: Whutch Threth6418 2006-02-04 11:50 |
| #4 Well my, my Elm. Certainly not The Religious Policeman (who is up with new posts) or my muslim friends at work and the pub. The drooling, ranting rabble, maybe... |
| Posted by: Hupomoger Clans9827 2006-02-04 10:55 |
| #3 NO, Ziyad, it is about being Muslim. You didn't say a word , I'll wager, when the Bin Laden Jesus painting came out. You and your death cult can't seem to find it in your hearts to see anyone elses religion as legitimate. Burn churches and bibles at will, kill chrisitians and Jews for fun, but don't you dare insult the prophet. I say from my heart, "Fuck all Muslims". |
| Posted by: Elmemble Shuse9568 2006-02-04 10:50 |
| #2 The way I see it is that this provides a great business opportunity for someone else. Some other international distributor is pinching himself this morning. Welcome to capitalism. |
| Posted by: 2b 2006-02-04 10:49 |
| #1 Well Ziyad, let's hear you speak out responsibly about hateful incitement. What cha got to say about 9/11, 7/7, "Kill the non-believers", etc., etc., etc.? Any of that "cross the line"? Well, Ziyad, we're waiting. |
| Posted by: Hupomoger Clans9827 2006-02-04 10:44 |