"Socially responsible" and "safe for children" aren't two phrases that really apply to most social media platforms – but two Muslim entrepreneurs are out to change that.
MuslimFace.com is the latest addition to the ever growing lineup of startups aspiring to be the "next Facebook." But this one, as it's name suggests, has a pretty big twist: It will be responsible, safe and respectful of Islamic values .
The site, co-founded by Shoaib Fadi and Rohail Amin M. Shoaib, just completed a successful beta testing with more than 1,000 global users and has recently opened to the general public.
"It is just an international project that would provide new opportunities for the rest of the world. It is basically a network by Muslims presented to the world," Fadie told the Pakistan Tribune.
The website offers a variety of languages such as Arabic, English, Urdu, Persian and Indonesian, with additional languages to be added.
"Nowadays, you just have to use the Internet. A large number of Muslims in the world are on numerous platforms and therefore, we saw the need to create a network for Muslims. A network with a value-based content along with products and services that respect Islamic teaching and principles," Fadie explained to Arynews.tv.
The company aims to ease parental concerns by making the site family-friendly and socially cautious and allows users as young as 13 years old to sign up.
"Our platform is designed to be a universal Islamic alternative to popular social networks but it is also open to non-Muslims who want to subscribe to platforms that are socially responsible and safe for children," Fadie told Zawya.com.
Shoaib explained to Zawaya.com that the website would provide an enhanced networking opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs as well as customers and partners. MuslimFace.com may be a portal to market Islamic merchandise worth $6.7 trillion .
The website will also have an online "majlis," a council for communities that would allow ideas to be exchanged and developed and help with the communication between the younger and older generations. This simple-yet-valuable idea might enable a new generation of Muslims to grow into inspirational leaders .
Registered in the United Kingdom under the name of Muslim Face Limited, the company is in the process of opening up offices in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.