A couple of days back I had a debate with my friends on whether Pepsi Cola is 'haram' (not permissible for Muslims). I'm afraid most people are mistaken about this issue. The extremists are taking advantage of people who are not educated and lack awareness. Just because "pepsin" sounds similar to "Pepsi" it does not mean that it is an ingredient contained in Pepsi Cola. Pepsi-Cola does not contain pepsin from hogs or any other animal source. In fact, it does not contain any enzyme at all. The names "Pepsi" and "pepsin" are closely related in writing and have created such a misunderstanding. "Pepsin", also called pig fat by some extremists, is actually an enzyme in the human digestive system for the breakdown of proteins which cannot be consumed.

Such are the misconceptions created by these extremists. Most people are saying these days that 'Pepsi is haram'; I would totally disagree with this. These are the lame excuses for the boycott of international products. Even if the owners of the Cola franchises are non-Muslims it does not mean that they are haram. Even Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) used to dine with non-Muslims when they invited them. He used to trade with them as well. Such boycotts will only create hatred between Islam and the other religions. Allah is the one who will judge and not these extremists so buy and drink Pepsi as much as you want.

- Schahzad Amin

I saw on the news recently that Pepsi has opened up a bottling operation in Iraq. And I always thought that Pepsi was more well-liked in Muslim countries than Coca-Cola.

Coke was doing business out of Israel, so the Arabs decided to drink Pepsi instead....

On a related note: anyone try Mecca-Cola yet?
http://www.mecca-cola.com

P enny
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P enny
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I sreal

It is Haram!!!

these are the last people i want on the board

i affraid ur opinion on pespin is false.PEPSIN these days u will find is contined in most of the popular products. Even reading upon some american website u will find that it is true.Pepsin is taken from either animals including pigs, it also has blood from the animals too.

You will also find that coco cola and pepsi were both bared from entering into india in 1970's due to both companies not printing or leting the country know wot the products ingredients were. This then for researched by the indians, and found that the products effects the nervous system and also can casuse cancer and many others, and by doing ur research u will learn this...In islam anything that effects ur body in thr wrong way is banned. So Mr amin get ur facts rite before u start preaching

Too bad everyone in Islam doesn't believe in that "anything that effects your body in the wrong way" philosophy. You know, things like bombs strapped to children, cold steel through necks...

yeah, you never see terrorist attacks against pepsi trucks...crazies