In a week when New York swore in a new mayor, and Dubai took on Sydney to see who could waste the most money on fireworks, Musletter raises a bemused eyebrow at the Dry January brigade (Dry-Entire-Life-Crew, Assemble!), pretends to do some push-ups, and braces itself for 2026 (or the second half of 1447).
Here’s what we have for you in this edition:
Bay Area Muslims organizing: Silicon Valley hub for Muslim founders
Arabian perfume houses: Prestige fragrance meets TikTok
Malaysia’s big boycott: Brands that say no to genocide
Uzbekistan tourism: Historical sites bring 73% surge
GCC mega-airports: Flying past European competitors
Plus: Our weekly recommendations on what to read, watch, and buy!
Let’s jump right in!
THE RUNDOWN
Here’s the scoop on everything you need to know
🇺🇸 Jumu’ah & networking: No, we’re not talking about the brother you just met while trying to find your shoes who ‘just needs an intro to some investors.’ Back in 2024, an organization called Alif started hosting weekly Jumu’ah prayers in San Francisco, drawing in Muslim tech workers from the Bay Area. It didn’t take long before it became a place where faith, tech, and community all happily mashed together. This culminated in 2025 with a one-day Summit in San Francisco, which was attended by over 600 people, including the likes of Amjad Masad, founder of unicorn Replit. Going into 2026, Alif is pushing hard for the builders of today to become the founders of tomorrow.
🌙 Arabian fragrance goes global: If you’re not following perfume news, then you’re missing out. It’s only taken 4,000 years, but the West has now realized where the best fragrances come from. TikTok-fueled brands like Lattafa and Kayali are pushing oud and gourmand scents right into the mainstream. Meanwhile, L’Oréal has acquired a minority stake in Omani luxury brand Amouage, valuing it at roughly $3.5bn. Amouage was founded back in 1983 and now generates over $260m in annual sales, and has opened new boutiques, including a flagship store in SoHo. Check out its high-end, ultra-concentrated perfumes (that’s ‘extrait de parfum’ for those in the know). All this to say… as Arab-inspired fragrance brands prove their staying power, we’re so here for it.
🇲🇾 Malaysia’s big boycott: The genocide in Gaza has impacted what millions around the world choose to buy and not to buy. In Malaysia, the food and beverage market has seen consumers turn their backs on the likes of McDonald’s and Starbucks in solidarity with Palestine. In their place, there has been a boom in domestic brands like Ahmad’s Fried Chicken (35 outlets) and Zus Coffee (700 locations). But what’s most notable – and this is a model other countries may follow – is evidence that this move towards local brands could be permanent.
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan tourism: Uzbekistan’s outsized role in Islamic history is ready for your inspection. But you’ll need to hurry. Visitor numbers have already increased by 73% thanks to new investments and visa-free travel, making the country one of the fastest-growing destinations for tourism in 2025. Hotspots include the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent, with its 7th-century Mushaf of Uthman (ra), as well as 114 rare Qur’ans that trace Islamic calligraphy through the years – plus interactive installations and multimedia displays. In addition, the Imam al-Bukhari Memorial Complex in Samarkand has undergone major restoration and is a must-visit.
GCC mega-airports ✈️ : If you have spent more than a minute in London Heathrow, then probably the last thing you would ever want is an even bigger airport. But here comes Dubai, Istanbul, and Riyadh competing with each other to add hundreds of millions of passengers over the next decade. One report likens the expansion to ‘three Heathrows’ of growth. Dubai alone plans to increase its annual capacity to 200 million passengers, while Istanbul aims for a similar number. Riyadh is also planning its own mega-hub. The big news, though, is that these cities no longer see Europe as the key competitor – now the race is on within the Gulf itself.
THE SPOTLIGHT
Roundup of interesting stories from the webosphere
🏝️ Your next vacation: Watch the classic movie (which was actually filmed in California), then visit the real city. Casablanca! World’s third largest mosque, rugged coastline, and all the bustle of Morocco’s biggest city.
📊 This week in stats: Recruitment demand in Dubai forecast to reach 64% in 2026. Main drivers? Innovation and AI.
📰 Good news corner: While Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) had to cancel his USA book tour, you can still read about how he became a Muslim in the 1970s.
🚨 Alert: Check out the early trailer for Shaun King’s new YouTube show coming in January. Expect Islam, activism, and a whole lot more.
FROM MUSLETTER
RECOMMENDATIONS
🎧 Listen: Why Muslims need to rethink what they eat. The Ansari Podcast explains all. From microplastics to hormone blockers to natural detoxification techniques - they cover a lot.
📚 Read: Learn about Bulgaria’s rich Muslim heritage. Take a trip through the villages of the Rhodope Mountains, where Islam survives post-Communism.
👀 Watch: How exactly did Pakistan become a nuclear power? In 11 minutes and 21 seconds, you will know the answer.
🛴 Visit: Explore the maze-like alleys of Harar, the Ethiopian UNESCO-listed centre of Islamic history.
🛍️ Shop: Originated in Syria, now based in Canada. Peace By Chocolate is available globally.
ICYMI
EARLIER EDITIONS
The only thing that matters is submitting to the will of God. – Muhammad Ali
HALAL HA-HA
MULLA NASRUDDIN CORE
Nasruddin’s donkey was lost, but instead of looking for it, he sat drinking coffee happily in the coffeehouse. Everyone was puzzled about this, knowing how much Nasruddin needed his donkey. ‘I don’t understand why you look so happy,’ someone finally said to him. Nasruddin replied, ‘I’m smiling because I’m not on the donkey. Just imagine: if I were on the donkey, I would be lost too!’🃏💀
TODAY’S EDITION
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