Ladies and gentlemen, on this depressing monday morning of overcast skies and sullen dew drops, I present to your ungodly eyes a technology offering found at the beebs. A n Islamic car.
The Malaysian carmaker Proton has announced plans to develop an "Islamic car", designed for Muslim motorists.Proton is planning on teaming up with manufacturers in Iran and Turkey to create the unique vehicle.
The car could boast special features like a compass pointing to Mecca and a dedicated space to keep a copy of the Koran and a headscarf.
A demostration of our remarkable ability to co-opt technology to promote religion and business.
- Log in to post comments
More like this
Saudi police arrested and strip-searched an American businesswoman for the crime of visiting a Starbucks with a male colleague.
"Some men came up to us with very long beards and white dresses. They asked 'Why are you here together?' I explained about the power being out in our office. They got very…
Salon has posted this interview with physicist Taner Edis. You might recognize Edis as the coeditor (with Matt Young) of the magisterial book Why Intelligent Design Fails.
The subject of the present interview is his new book, An Illusion of Harmony: Science and Religion in Islam. Edis has a lot…
The headline for this week's current reading on the Island is perhaps unfair. It's become trite to point out that algebra and algorithm, to name just two mathematical terms, are derived from Muslim scholars. But as Taner Edis, the author of the book "An Illusion of Harmony: Science and Religion in…
I am one of those who has said many times that the larger context of the war on terrorism is that of a crucial internal battle within Islam, a battle that puts the US, and western ideals, in the crossfire. Ultimately, the battle to defeat the Bin Ladens of the world must be fought primarily by his…
Frankly I don't see any technology being co-opted. They've just decided to point people's attention to the Navigator, (frankly, who can possibly offer a proper Namaz while driving) and are calling the glove compartment something else.
So this is probably just a demonstration of our remarkable ability to co-opt religion to promote business. Technology is only being re-branded (and shoddily if you ask me).
Some additional features the car has:
* Push-button explosion: the trunk comes pre-loaded with C4, and a conveniently placed button on the steering column that allows for instant immortality.
* Engine auto-off: a built-in GPS and clock allows the car to determine when it is time to pray, and automatically cuts the engine ignition. As this poses a definite risk of causing accidents, the car comes with a bumper sticker that reads, I BRAKE FOR PRAYERS.
* Mine safety hitch: the last thing you want to do is blow up your new car on some infidel's anti-personnel mine, so the car comes with a convenient chain attachment point on the front that allows you to have your wife walk twenty feet in front of the car, chained to the bumper. Since the car seats four, you'll have at least three chances of safely discovering mines and detonating them before they're close enough to damage the car.
* Punishment hitch: just in case your wife displeases you, there's a handy hook on the rear of the car that allows you to easily drag her through the streets behind your shiny new car. A button on the dashboard allows you to open the hook, so you can simply disconnect the bloodied body and not have to actually sully your hands by touching it. Just drop 'n' drive!
The previous comment was hilarious (if insensitive).