⚱ How Rasasi became a perfume powerhouse

In a week when the pro-Palestine dream team of UFC champion, NFL linebacker, and Ms. Rachel all made their voices heard, and Muslim candidates made history in the US midterms, Musletter said bismillah like those French protesters and selected the top stories just for you.

Here’s what we have for you in this edition:

Plus: Our recommendations on what to read, watch, and buy!

Let’s jump right in!

⚱ Indian Muslim family creates GCC perfume mega-brand: Founded by entrepreneur Haji Abdul Razzak Kalsekar in 1979 as a small shop in Dubai’s Murshid Bazar, Rasasi has grown into an international brand with 165 showrooms across the Gulf and exporting to 90+ countries. Celebrating the Gulf's rich perfume tradition (seriously, who wants CK One when you can get this stuff?), the company saw a niche European brands weren't filling. A true family enterprise, all six of Kalsekar’s sons worked for the company, and now two grandsons as well. Located in a state-of-the-art facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone, the company's perfume range is even loved (and/or paid to be advertised) by Bollywood stars.

🇺🇸💰Revolutionary financial app for Muslims: How does high-yield savings with no interest sound? Thought so. The Goldsand app has now launched, having attracted over $2 million in deposits during an invite-only beta. For CEO Tariq Patanam, it’s about Muslims returning to a model used centuries ago: financing the world’s trade without interest. How does it work? Instead of paying interest, Goldsand generates revenue from fees on digital payment transactions. It then shares a portion of the profits with customers. Simple. Kinda. The philosophy? Interest-free financing is not a limitation; it’s a superpower.

🇵🇰 Pakistan targets regional leadership in innovation: Pakistan now ranks 15th among 36 lower-middle-income economies and eighth among 11 countries in Central and southern Asia. This is according to the 2026 Global Innovation Index, which looked at 139 economies worldwide (Pakistan ranks 95th globally) and, for the fourth year in a row, awarded the country ‘overperformer’ status. In other words, it’s surpassing expectations given its level of economic development. Areas of note include mobile apps, ICT exports, high-tech imports, and scientific output. Pakistan aims to overcome its limited resources and generate a stronger innovation culture within its wider digital economy. As the saying goes, Think Tech Think Pakistan.

🇦🇪 Hub71 gets its biggest ever startup intake: Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 has selected 40 startups for its latest cohort, with 2,500 applications from 117 countries. So, what are the trends? Well, 88% are from international markets; all of them are using AI in some form (no surprise there), and over 60% operate in the Emirate’s priority sectors, particularly digital assets, climate tech, life sciences and autonomous vehicles – as well as early childhood development. Together, the selected companies have already raised $296 million. In the program, they will get mentorship, investor and industry access, and incentives of $136,000. Want to apply for the next one? Start here.

🇸🇳 Senegal’s SME program exceeds targets: Senegal’s JET program has helped 8,000 small businesses – 220% above the original target of 2,500. Alongside creating or safeguarding over 71,000 jobs, the $190 million fund, backed by the International Development Association, has provided $18 million in grants to support tech adoption, mobilized $26 million in partial credit guarantees, and helped formalize 5,000+ businesses. With more women entrepreneurs and organizations like Entrepreneur Senegal, the country is focusing on small businesses as an engine for the economy. With an eye on growth, Senegal is no longer a story about business survival; it’s about business scale.

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