Footprints a match made in cyber heaven
“Log kya kahenge” Footprints a match made in cyber heaven (what people will say) is a charged phrase that’s keeping scores of South Asians awake. This thought occurred to Iqbal Karimullah a few years ago when his eldest daughter Imrana told him she had met her soulmate on the Muslim dating and marriage app Muzz.
Although the boy liked and approved of the game Footprints a match made in cyber heaven, even after the success of the first game, a cardiologist in Luton, England was worried about what his family and friends would think.
“The guy was absolutely brilliant, and I know they are kindred spirits. But when I found out the match was fixed by a dating site, I said to my wife and daughters, “Nobody tells anybody,” he said. “People will judge us because Log Kya Kahenge is the mentality of my generation.”
He made up an alternative story and told his community that the boy and girl met through a mutual bond since both parents were for the National Health Service (NHS) was working.
“I later realized that Muzz had done us a great service. Those two guys are the best sexes you can have,” said Karimullah, whose other daughter was also found through the app. “My daughters have found soul mates. Now I say to those who are afraid to like me: Believe in Allah and do not live in fear. Your children’s happiness is what ultimately matters.” Founded by a young Pakistani-British entrepreneur from Manchester,
Muzz is an elegant and easy-to-use mobile app that enables Muslims of different countries, sects, and ethnicities to communicate with each other to meet for a wedding.
This is not a dating app or a casual dating app, the founder points out, as there are many other platforms that serve this market.
“It’s about marriage. Successful couples find someone on their own terms who respects their faith, culture, traditions, and family. It couldn’t be more halal,” says Shahzad Younas, Founder and CEO of Muzz.
His brand has must-have pink branding and often offers flashy stats on the Muzz couple’s success. At a London bus stop near Regent’s Park Mosque, an ad read: “It takes Muslims 5 months to get married in the Muzz.” For the guy who met his wife in 3 hours mashallah.
In Pakistan, the campaign uses humor and puns and messages are mainly in Roman Urdu. “There are 22 million people in Pakistan and you’re still single?” reads a translation of the Muzza billboards hanging all over Lahore and Karachi.
Since its inception in 2014, connections on its platform have resulted in 400,000 weddings worldwide, according to Muzz. In Pakistan, one of the platform’s largest markets, the app has led to 12,000 marriages.
The business has come a long way since Mr. Younas started promoting his card idea in front of mosques. It currently operates from a large office in Aldgate East with 80 staff. In 2017, it brought in $1.$8 million in seed funding and an additional $7 million in Series A funding in 2019.
Hopes to make a positive impact Footprints a match made in cyber heaven on the Muslim world and dreams of Muzz becoming the “first Muslim unicorn” because” there really is no’ meeting the needs of Muslims. This will open the door for more Muslim startups.”
When it comes to flu, Muzz is a sensation. The average user is 26 years old, has at least a college degree, and is currently looking for a spouse.
He is also beginning to inspire another generation like Mr. Karimullah to give their children new opportunities Footprints a match made in cyber heaven to meet their future partners. He announced during his daughter’s wedding speech that the game would be played “with computer support”.
“All parents worry about their children and that is very useful. Without Muzz, my daughters would not have met these wonderful boys,” says Karimullah, “I am now his biggest advocate.