"Coca-Cola's Islam-Themed 'Ramadan Soda' Sparks Outrage In Norway"

"In connection with the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, Coca-Cola Norway has launched a nationwide campaign featuring its recognisable logo adorned with a crescent moon, an important symbol in Islam.

While celebrating Ramadan has been a long tradition for Coca-Cola in Muslim countries, this is the first time it has donned Islamic imagery in the Scandinavian nation, where it previously only used to have Christmas campaigns...

Nina Marianne Iversen, a professor of marketing and branding at the Norwegian Business School (BI) argued that it was clear that Coca-Cola wanted to establish closer ties with Muslims.

'Another motive for Coca-Cola is that they want to show themselves as a responsible social actor by linking the brand to diversity and inclusion', Iversen pointed out. 'They challenge the establishment and those skeptical of Islam', she said, praising the company for being 'tough' enough to risk provoking negative stereotypes."