Software Business in the Middle East

Once I met with my buddy and heard Arabic text read from his computer – it was a program that reads certain parts of Qur’an when screen-saver starts on the computer. Later I saw another program that calculates timing of the prayers, which are also known as “Five Muslim Salah” (In Islam you’re supposed to pray 5 times a day – these 5 prayers are called as Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha’a). The time of prayers vary from city to city and from day to day.

Both programs are very good examples of the niche the software is developed for. Religion plays very important role in the Middle East, and it’s clear that every Muslim would have such programs – either on their computers, phone or PDA. These programs are normally free. This way software company supports and contributes to Islam, and also attracts new visitors to come and visit company web site. Users might be attracted to get another software the company develops.

I’ve never thought that this religious software exists – but it does and it’s very popular. I just wonder how many niches exist around us that we do not yet see?