Religious Purposes Research Articles

The “Authentic Islam” on the Internet: The Official Websites of the Ministries of Religious Affairs in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia

The governments of the Maghreb states appropriated and subordinated Islam after gaining independence, utilizing religion to strengthen national identity, unity, and establish political power. The goal of governmental control over religious doctrine was to stop “heterodox” Muslim beliefs and behaviors from deviating from the officially sanctioned conceptual framework of a national Islam. This study will employ a comparative methodology to examine the little-known function of the websites of the Ministries of Religious Affairs in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. It will highlight differences in the aims and scopes of these websites, as well as the state’s use of the Internet for religious purposes.

The Legacy of Fatima Dudija Hatun, Sarajevo Benefactor

In this paper based on the available Ottoman archival sources and accessible secondary literature, an attempt is made to reconstruct the life of a Sarajevo benefactor from the end of the 18th and the first half of the 19th century, who bequeathed part of her property for religious and educational purposes. Based on the inventory of the property remained after her death, we tried to get a closer picture of the private life of a woman benefactor, then to provide information about the way and style of her life, then on the type of household furniture, textile furniture, kitchen utensils, decorative objects and other things that adorned and filled the interior of her home. Likewise, we analyzed the jewelry she owned, the style of her daily clothing, the type and quality of the materials of the clothing, and information about the rest of her movable and immovable properties. The person in case was named Fatima Dudija hatun, daughter of Pehlivan Husejn-aga, from Sarajevo, resident of Careva Mahala.

Non-violence in Buddha’s teaching and Deviation in Practice

Buddhism consistently advocates for love and respect for all living beings and stands as an animal-friendly religion. Buddha's Pañcaśīla and other teachings focus on love and compassion for nature, including animals and plants. Maitri, Karuṇā, muditā, and upekṣā are among the main essences of Buddhism, emphasizing love, sympathy, empathy, and respect for all living beings. However, some Buddhist practices involve animal sacrifice in the name of 'Bali' for religious purposes, and some Buddhists consume animal meat, which is unsympathetic and merciless and contradicts Buddhist and environmental ethics. This paper highlights how these practices deviate from the Buddha's core teachings on non-violence and their significant impact on the environment and human health. The study is carried out using qualitative research methodology, with discussion and analysis conducted through the inductive method.

ARUNIKA

Based on the experience, the composer will also create a musical composition entitled Arunika. Arunika is the phenomenon of the emergence of the tip of the sun above the eastern horizon, or this event is often called the sunrise process. Arunika is a word derived from Sanskrit. Sanskrit itself is a member of the Indo-European language family and is considered one of the oldest and most well-known languages among linguists. Sanskrit is a perfect language, an antonym of vernacular or prakrit, often used for religious or scientific purposes. Sanskrit is one of the official languages used in India today, because it is closely related to Hinduism and Buddhism. In India itself, Sanskrit is commonly used in several Hindu religious ceremonies and other major national celebrations. This language is a special language for Indian society, this is because it is a marker of differences in social status so it is only taught to upper classes or castes. The use of Sanskrit has developed into a specific symbol and language not only in India but also in several countries. The word Arunika became the title of the work to reflect a personal experience, namely vision problems, where his eyes became dark and he could not move. The problems experienced by cultivators have a big impact on the path of dreams and the future they have envisioned. The impact of this problem made the cultivator decide on his dream. Arunika herself had a huge influence in the process of creating this work. This work was born from a process of self-healing and recovery accompanied by the environment.

Spatial Expansion, Planning, and Their Influences on the Urban Landscape of Christian Churches in Canton (1582–1732 and 1844–1911)

Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China) has a long history as a trading port and serves as a window for studying the history of Sino-Western cultural exchanges. Canton was a city built under Confucian orders, leading to significant differences (when compared to Christian cities) in urban functional zoning, layout, urban landscape, and methods for shaping spatial order. Therefore, the churches constructed by Christian missionary societies in Canton merit particular attention in missionary history research and urban planning history. Based on local gazetteers, historical maps, export paintings, Western travelogues, and archives at that time, from a cultural landscape perspective, this article compares and analyzes the spatial expansion of Christian churches and their influences on the urban landscape in Canton in two stages. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the spatial layout of the churches indicated an active integration into Canton City. After the Opium War, churches were not only used for religious purposes but also served as symbols asserting the presence of Christians and Western powers (which made the situation more complicated). Missionary societies attracted believers through the construction of public facilities, building Christian communities centered around churches, thereby competing with authorities for spatial power and influencing the urban functional system and spatial layout controlled by the authorities. Comparatively, the Roman Catholic Cathedral has profoundly changed the traditional landscape order in Canton, while the Protestant Dongshan Church interacted more closely with the city.

Rituals of the First Poem: The Origins and Semiotics of Ruins Lamentation in Pre-Islamic Talbiyat

This study employs cultural approach in interpreting the phenomenon of ruins lamentation through the dialectic of sanctification and desecration, ritual and poetry, which is evident in the texts of pagan "talbiyat" (hymns) and Hajj rituals in the pre-Islam era. It argues that the nature of pagan sanctification required that "talbiyat" was a form of ritual documentation with a purpose of argument before unseen powers, through the pilgrims standing up to the holiness of the Sacred House. They were aware that ruins reflect the anxiety of the pagan self while it compares the Holy sacred house with fake Sacred Houses, as well as pleading to God by mentioning what they had suffered on the journey. Since violating sanctification in pagan culture was seen as a sign of desecration; Many pagan "talbiyat" reveal a dual of religious and worldly purposes that was decisive in shifting the collective ritual to the poetics of the poem. Looking at the map of the pagan Hajj, it becomes clear that the three-part structure of the poem echoes the structure of the ritual Hajj extending over three stages, the pilgrim/poet roam in the pagan geography of the non-sacred, seeking inspiration, satisfaction and blessing of the gods residing on the outskirts of Mecca, which, in turn, inspire him with the ritual/poetic discourse, and then he can proceed with composing hymns /poem before arriving at the courtyard of the Ka'aba and praying to the actual God of this Ancient House.

Balancing faith and identity: language policies and practices in Indonesian Muslim families

ABSTRACT This study investigates the complex interplay between language policies, religious beliefs, and cultural identity within two Indonesian Muslim families, residing in urban and rural contexts. Given Indonesia’s diverse linguistic landscape, with over 700 languages spoken, this research examines how religious beliefs and cultural identity shape their language ideology and their utilisation of the Indonesian language, local languages, and Arabic within Indonesian Muslim families. This research fills a gap, as there is limited literature on this topic in Indonesia. Through a case study design, including semi-structured interviews with two families in different contexts, the study explores language use for daily communication, cultural preservation, and religious practices. Findings reveal that the urban family members prioritise the Indonesian language for broader communication, while the rural family members maintain stronger ties to local languages to preserve their cultural identity. Their religious convictions place Arabic as a language designated for religious purposes rather than for daily communication. The study underscores the significance of religious beliefs in shaping language choices and highlights the challenges and strategies to preserve cultural identity and religious devotion. This research contributes to the understanding of how faith and cultural identity influence language ideology and practices in Indonesia’s multilingual society.

남정리 116호분 낙랑채협(樂浪彩篋) 인물도의 재검토

The “Painted Lacquered Basket of Nangnang,” excavated from Tomb Namjŏngni No. 116 in Pyongyang, is a lidded bamboo basket box adorned with over a hundred figures depicted in colored lacquer. Inscriptions accompanying 36 of these figures identify them. Despite its exceptional artistic quality and good preservation, comprehensive research on these figures has been lacking, and the interpretation of the inscriptions remains rudimentary. This study challenges the existing view that the basket demonstrates the prevalence of Confucianism in the Nangnang commandery. It reevaluates the images and inscriptions through extensive reference to international research on the transmission and transformation of filial piety. Additionally, it discusses the significance of the Painted Lacquered Basket of Nangnang within the context of Tomb Namjŏngni No. 116, aiming to explore the religious and philosophical aspects of the Nangnang people. The study reveals that while the depictions in the Painted Lacquered Basket primarily pertain to filial piety, this virtue could exist beyond blood relationships and serve both secular and religious purposes. Moreover, it suggests that brutal family revenge was socially unsanctioned. Notably, the analysis includes new interpretations of figures such as the “Five Emperors (五帝)” and “Qīngwū (靑烏),” indicating the influence of geomancy beliefs on the creation of the tomb. Considering these factors, it is proposed that the Painted Lacquered Basket of Nangnang was crafted not as a domestic item but as a funerary object, likely imported through exchanges with the Yangtze River basin in China.

Sacred journeys and pilgrimages: health risks associated with travels for religious purposes.

Pilgrimages and travel to religious Mass Gatherings (MGs) are part of all major religions. This narrative review aims to describe some characteristics, including health risks, of the more well known and frequently undertaken ones. A literature search was conducted using keywords related to the characteristics (frequency of occurrence, duration, calendar period, reasons behind their undertaking and the common health risks) of Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish religious MGs. About 600 million trips are undertaken to religious sites annually. The characteristics varies between religions and between pilgrimages. However, religious MGs share common health risks, but these are reported in a heterogenous manner. European Christian pilgrimages reported both communicable diseases, such as norovirus outbreaks linked to the Marian Shrine of Lourdes in France, and noncommunicable diseases (NCD). NCD predominated at the Catholic pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, which documented 11 million attendees in one week. The Zion Christian Church Easter gathering in South Africa, attended by about 10 million pilgrims, reported mostly motor vehicles accidents. Muslim pilgrimages, such as the Arbaeen (20 million pilgrims) and Hajj documented a high incidence of respiratory tract infections, up to 80% during Hajj. Heat injuries and stampedes have been associated with Hajj. The Hindu Kumbh Mela pilgrimage, which attracted 100 million pilgrims in 2013, documented respiratory conditions in 70% of consultations. A deadly stampede occurred at the 2021 Jewish Lag BaOmer MG. Communicable and NCD differ among the different religious MGs. Gaps exists in the surveillance, reporting, and data accessibility of health risks associated with religious MGs. A need exists for the uniform implementation of a system of real-time monitoring of diseases and morbidity patterns, utilising standardised modern information-sharing platforms. The health needs of pilgrims can then be prioritised by developing specific and appropriate guidelines.

Thermal modernization of historic church with valuable historic facades

The article describes a case study of a collegiate basilica located in northern Poland and listed in the register of monuments of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship under the identification number 601148. This building dates back to the 14th century and has been rebuilt many times in its history, serving both a sacred and penitentiary function. Currently, the facility is used only for religious purposes. Its owner and user set himself the goal of maintaining the temperature inside at a level of approximately +16C all year round, which required insulation of the external partitions, but this was only possible from the inside due to the historic nature of the façade, which is protected by law. As part of the article, a thermal-humidity analysis of vertical envelopes was carried out regarding the possibility of moisture accumulating in them after thermal modernization and its impact on their technical condition over time. The above-mentioned analysis was carried out with the support of the WUFI 2D program to assess the possibility and amount of moisture accumulation inside the envelopes and on their internal surface, as well as the Physibel Trisco program regarding temperature distribution in the cold season.

Molecular genetic diversity analysis of the Nigerian laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) and related species using selected mitochondrial genes

Nigerian laughing doves (Streptopelia senegalensis) are small birds with long tail and living in bushes of the Sub-Saharan regions of African continent, the middle East and Asia, especially India. They are used for food, medicinal and religious purposes in Nigeria. Despite their usage, there is a lack of information on the genetic diversity of laughing doves in Nigeria. This study investigates taxonomic order and diversity of Nigerian laughing doves based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome B (CYTB). The results showed 20 haplotypes within the 28 Nigerian coupled with Global Streptopelia genus using concatenated sequences. The Nigerian laughing dove constitute 16 distinct haplotypes. The haplotype diversity was 0.743 ± 0.070, and nucleotide diversity 0.154 ± 0.101 within Nigerian population using COI sequences. Phylogenetic tree showed that Nigerian laughing doves were in the same monophyletic clade with other Streptopela orientalis, S. decocto and S. chinensis; and this confirmed that Nigerian laughing doves might have shared descendant. The median-joining network further grouped Nigerian laughing doves into two: the first group consisting of Nigerian populations only, while the second group are with Saudi Arabian and Djiboutian populations. Population expansion was revealed in Nigerian dove individuals. This study revealed 16 unique haplotypes among Nigerian laughing dove population using concatenated sequences. Interestingly, CYTB showed clustering in African laughing doves (For instance, Nigerian individuals shared haplotypes with Sao Tome and Principe, an island country in the Gulf of Guinea, the western equatorial coast of Central Africa). The current data is the first report on genetic diversity of Nigerian laughing dove using mitochondrial COI and CYTB genes.

The attitudes of Arabic language learners towards learning Arabic for specific purposes, Kanar 1 course, Language Institute, International University of Africa (IUA), Sudan

Many educational institutions have introduced Arabic language for specific purpose courses in order to help learners master the terminologies and language patterns used in specific fields. This study aims to identify the attitudes and needs of Arabic language learners who will enroll in Arabic language course for the first stage organized by Language Institute, International University of Africa (IUA), Sudan. This study relied on the descriptive and inductive approaches to find out the attitudes and needs of Arabic language the participants in this course 2023/2024. It is known that many learners have an attachment to the Arabic language that goes beyond religious purposes to professional ones such as economics and culture. For all this, it is necessary to design curriculum that pay attention to these directions and the objectives that will be demonstrated by the participants of this course. On the other hand the study aims to find out how to improve the effectiveness of Arabic for specific purpose to help learners gain academic and career advantages in the long run.

Bibliometric Analysis On Istibdal Waqf

Istibdal waqf stands as a powerful tool in tackling underdevelopment issues by enabling the exchange of waqf properties for more beneficial assets. This process significantly contributes to societal welfare through its charitable and religious purposes. As an emerging field, conducting bibliometric studies to examine research trends and patterns related to istibdal waqf is vital. This study analyses worldwide research trends, publication growth, publishing outputs by country, themes of interest, and co-occurrences of author keywords related to istibdal waqf. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of istibdal waqf using the Scopus database, Microsoft Excel, and VOSviewer 1.6.18. Relevant articles were identified through specific keywords and search strings. Statistical analysis was then applied to the data extracted from the Scopus database. The analysis revealed a steady increase in publishing outputs on istibdal waqf, with most publications originating from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Turkiye. While there was a slight decrease in 2023, the surge in 2022 marked significant growth. Co-occurrence analysis emphasised the strong association between "istibdal" and "waqf," indicating the importance of managing and utilising waqf assets through practices like istibdal. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the research trends in istibdal waqf, highlighting global publications on this emerging topic. The identified co-occurring keywords, such as "cash waqf" and "waqf land," provide a nuanced understanding of istibdal waqf and may be helpful for future scholars investigating under-researched areas. Future scholars can address other themes, such as managing waqf land in general, and expand the scope of research by utilising other databases. The identified trends and patterns can also serve as a reference for policymakers and practitioners engaged in waqf management and Islamic social finance.

Water Savings in Places of Worship: A Case Study for St Mary’s Mosque in Australia

Water is used for various religious purposes, including ablution for billions of Muslims around the world. Water savings in ablution can make a positive contribution towards achieving the water-related sustainable development goals (SDGs). A survey-based study was conducted at St Mary’s Mosque in Sydney, Australia, to understand the water usage during ablution and how water can be saved by Muslims in mosques. It has been found that the participants of the survey use 4 to 8 L of water to perform one ablution. About 82% of the participants are careful about saving water in ablution. It has also been found that about 70% of the participants believe that wastage of water during ablution is ‘haram’ (unlawful). Some 95% of the participants believe that religious motivation can play a significant role in saving water during ablution, and Imams can make a notable positive difference by encouraging their followers to save water during ablution. It has also been found that 64% of the participants are willing to use harvested rainwater for ablution. The findings of this study will help Muslims in Australia and around the globe to save water and contribute to the circular economy, as saving potable water (by reducing water use during ablution and using harvested rainwater at the source of water collection) saves energy and encourages responsible consumption.

Coconut: Expanding avenues in processing and an exposition on non-conventional value-added products.

Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is a treasured tree of the tropics, with every part put to use. The edible portions are loaded with diverse nutrients and nutraceutical ingredients. While the unique mineral profile of the liquid endosperm, the low-glycemic inflorescence sap (neera) and the medium-chain triglyceride fraction of coconut oil are better recognized, other fractions such as the haustorium remain underexplored. Overall, it is evident that, globally, the present status of coconut value addition is conventional, limited to a handful of products, and novel products hold a promising scope. A massive fraction of global coconut production goes for culinary and religious purposes. In the article, value-added products from coconut are classified into conventional and non-conventional products, with the latter in focus. Based on the part from which it is collected, all products have been categorized as haustorium-based, inflorescence-based, kernel-based and water-based products. For each non-conventional product introduced, its production approach and unique application range are highlighted. Given its health-promoting capabilities, characteristic sensorial attributes, wide application range and technological advancements, coconuts are increasingly being recognized around the world, even in regions that do not cultivate them; this applies to non-food products as well. In the context of value-added products from coconuts, this decade has witnessed a surge in research and commercial interest considering the inclusion of coconut as an ingredient in several food and nutraceutical products. The future will certainly consider regulatory protocols and standards, better documentation of the health impact of coconut-based diets, and the sustainability of coconut production, processing and consumption. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

A Rare Case Report of Constriction Band Syndrome at the Wrist in a Child (Dhaga Syndrome)

ABSTRACT There are instances when elastic/thread bands are worn on the wrist, especially in infants or children in certain communities for either decorative or religious purposes. In case, it is worn for a long time, it burrows through the skin and soft tissues while going completely un-noticed, causing constriction and resulting in distal edema and loco-regional infection. The rare case discussed here is of a 3 years old female child who presented with circumferential constriction, swelling, and discharging sinuses around the right wrist for 7 months. The case was diagnosed on MRI and subsequently successfully managed surgically. The clinico-radiologic features and details of the case are discussed herein.

Observations of Ramadan fasting in the initial year after bariatric surgery

BackgroundRamadan is considered to be the holiest month of the Islamic religion. Hundreds of millions of Muslims practice the commitments of Ramadan, which include the abstinence from eating and drinking during daylight hours. Although there are exemptions to fasting for medical reasons, there is very limited guidance in terms of the safety of fasting in the postoperative period after bariatric surgery. ObjectivesTo assess outcomes and impact of fasting on patients who underwent bariatric surgery within the year leading up to Ramadan 2023. SettingCommunity hospital health system. MethodsRetrospective review of medical records and direct patient contact for 376 study participants. ResultsOf the 376 participants who underwent bariatric surgery in the year before Ramadan, only 8 patients (2.1%) reported they did not intend to fast during Ramadan. Patients who ended up having to break fasting were closer to their surgery date, at 4.3 months from surgery, than patients who were able to fast for the entire month of Ramadan, who were 5.1 months out from surgery. There was no difference between the number of patients needing to break fasting on the basis of what type of bariatric surgery they had performed. The number of patients needing to go to the emergency department and receive intravenous fluids was small, at 11 patients (2.9%), and these patients were also closer to surgery than those not needing to go to the emergency department or receive intravenous fluids. Side effects experienced during Ramadan, including abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, and hypoglycemia, were more common in patients that were closer to their surgery, notably within 4 months of their surgery date. Patients who lost weight during Ramadan were closer to their surgery date at 4.9 months from surgery compared with those who maintained or gained weight, who were 7.0 months out from surgery. ConclusionsThere are a limited number of studies examining the safety and patient outcomes in those who fast for religious purposes after bariatric surgery. In this study, 376 participants who were within 1 year of undergoing surgery were followed throughout the month of Ramadan. Patients closer to surgery were more likely to break fasting, present to the emergency department, and experience side effects. However, the overall rate of complications was low, suggesting that fasting in the setting of a religious tradition in the carefully chosen patient with counseling and supervision may be a safe option.

Free-living amoebic encephalitis - Case series.

Free-living amoeba is ubiquitous in fresh water, mud, and moist soil; although seldom pathogenic to humans, Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp., and Balamuthia spp. are known to cause infections of the central nervous system. We report two interesting cases, both of which presented with a rapid-onset and fulminant course. The first case details a 36-year-old male with a history of surgically corrected nasal bone fracture 15 years back, who presented with acute onset of fever, headache and convulsions. Direct smears of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed motile trophozoites resembling N. fowleri and were later confirmed by molecular diagnosis (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]). Subsequently, the source was identified as water used for religious purposes. Unfortunately, the patient succumbed to cardiac arrest. The second case is that of a 4-year-old boy from Palakkad district, Kerala, who presented with sudden onset of nasal discharge, fever, headache, vomiting, seizures and altered sensorium. His CSF smear examination showed motile trophozoites resembling Acanthamoeba spp. While undergoing treatment, he seized thrice before going into cardiac arrest. Despite extensive resuscitation measures, the child could not be revived and passed away. The postmortem CSF sample sent for molecular analysis confirmed infection by Acanthamoeba spp. Rapid progression and lack of definite treatment options make this a highly fatal condition. Although clinical presentations of both patients were indicative of pyogenic meningitis, parasitic infection was suspected when the CSF was found turbid with no bacteria, high protein, and low sugar. High index of suspicion helped us to get an early preliminary diagnosis from direct microscopy.

Examining the Cases Involving Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Philippines: An Insight for Religious Freedom and Church-State Relations

Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) are well-known for their refusal to engage in various political activities. Hence, the JW were involved in the Philippines’ Supreme Court landmark case of Ebralinag vs. Division, which revolves around religious freedom. Although Ebralinag provides a bountiful discussion on religious freedom and church-state relations, there needs to be more clarity regarding JW’s legal experiences and challenges in the Philippines. Limited attention has been given to reviewing the cases involving this religious group and the policies that affect them. Thus, in this context, the paper compiled and discussed cases where several Philippine laws and policies challenged the JW. The paper identified and looked into six cases wherein the members of the JW and the organization were involved. These cases touch on five policies: flag ceremonies, police power, military service, use of public property for religious purposes, and marriage. the JW used the clause on freedom of religion, right to public education, and freedom of speech as legal vanguards. Examining the cases and policies affecting the JW has presented how the courts weigh religious freedom and state authority and ensure a balance between the two. Moreover, JW cases validate the usual behavior in Philippine jurisprudence concerning religious freedom and church-state relations as both progressive and traditional. Keywords: Jehovah’s Witnesses, religious freedom, secularism, church-state, Philippines

Mangalam Organics Limited: making camphor grow innovatively

Learning outcomes The case study will provide an opportunity for students to identify the challenges a business-to-business (B2B) organization in a commodity product category faces in a growing environment. The students will learn to analyze and evaluate different strategies for growth and profitability. The students will be equipped to make decisions based on financial and nonfinancial data and the trade-offs therein. The case study will enable students to understand the application of the concept of operating leverage in different business conditions. Case overview/synopsis The leadership team at Mangalam Organics Limited (MOL) was worried about the company’s future in December 2021. The chief strategy officer (CSO), Akshay Dujodwala; the chairman, Kamal Dujodwala and the managing director, Pankaj Dujodwala had watched MOL go through many ups and downs. MOL manufactured camphor powder and supplied it to tableters [1], who would convert it into tablets, essentially used for Puja [2] purposes in India. Camphor was a white, waxy terpenoid with a strong aroma. It was mainly a commodity business with no pricing power when MOL supplied it in bulk to tableters. They had ventured into the business-to-customer (B2C) [3] space with their consumer brand “Mangalam” camphor tablets, positioned for religious uses in homes. However, this formed a very small percentage of their turnover. With thin margins and a low growth rate, it was difficult for MOL to sustain and grow, especially in the B2B [4] business. To make matters worse, their manufacturing unit caught fire in 2015, causing a major blow to their business. Under the leadership of their CSO, Akshay, they implemented strategies that helped the company bring down costs and wastage. Akshay helped MOL diversify further into the B2C market through their brands, “CamPure” for home care products and “Cam+” for health-care products. Huge expenditures on marketing and advertising were incurred to promote these brands. The COVID-19 pandemic watched the world go through a terrible phase with lockdown and rising health issues (both physical and mental). Camphor found an interesting place in immunity and religious purposes due to its aromatherapy properties and evoking feelings of relaxation. The newfound use helped MOL achieve an unexpectedly higher turnover. But Akshay knew that camphor, by itself, was fickle in providing profitability. To sustain growth post-COVID-19, MOL would urgently need to look for growth options. After giving it a lot of thought, he was faced with three options – he could either focus on CamPure as a B2C option, or concentrate completely on camphor powder and aroma as an existing B2B option or take the third option to go in for a first of its kind exclusive stores for all types of puja items called Pooja Sangam. While all these options had their own pros and cons, he had to now decide which was the best financially viable option for MOL as a way forward. Complexity academic level The case study is designed at the postgraduate level in an Master of Business Administration and executive education programs. Given the nature of the issues in the case study, it can be included in courses such as business strategy and strategic marketing. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 8: Marketing.