When Bradford-born businesswoman Zahida Parveen decided to launch the UK's first brand of 'Muslim-friendly Cola', she expected it to prove a hit among those disillusioned with the multinational brands which dominate the market.

But little did the 35-year-old expect to be catapulted into the spotlight as a leading entrepreneur in charge of a firm exporting to markets around the globe.

Just six months after the first bottle of Qibla Cola hit the shelves, Mrs Parveen has seen demand for the product outstrip all expectation.

And today she admitted the product's huge success had taken everyone at the Derby-based firm by surprise.

Mrs Parveen has just returned from Canada, the latest country to sign up to the Qibla Cola empire, where she was guest of honour at the opening of the first Muslim mosque to be built in British Columbia for 20 years.

The firm now exports to a host of countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Pakistan, and is currently in negotiations with leading UK supermarkets to sell through their outlets.

It has been a remarkable period of growth for the firm, which was only set up in February, but now produces around one million bottles every month.

Former fashion designer Mrs Parveen is reluctant to accept too many of the plaudits for the success of Qibla Cola, pointing to the ten per cent charity donation from the sale of each bottle as the key to its success. The product, which uses the slogan "liberate your taste" retails at about the same price as a bottle of Coca Cola.

"When people purchase this product, they know that it is going to somebody in need," said Mrs Parveen, who admitted she had become something of a role model for Asian women.

"I am very proud of what we have done in raising the money for good causes. It is very hard work, but I do love my job."

The money raised from the sales is targeted at a variety of causes, including Islamic Aid, which runs appeals for a variety of projects in the developing world.

And Mrs Parveen admits the company has built its success on a growing tide of anti-American feeling, manifested in a resentment towards giant brands such as Coca Cola.

Surveys have shown a growing trend towards politicised consumer tastes in the UK. Its launch followed the success of the French product Mecca Cola, and Zam Zam Cola, which is popular in the Middle East.

"I came up with the idea just because of what I was seeing happening in the world and I wanted to do something to help poorer people," explained Mrs Parveen, who regularly visits Bradford where much of her family still live.

"There's not a lot of drinks out there from alternative brands and there's not a lot of variety out there. But this product is not just for Muslims. I have had more Western people who have been pleasantly surprised when they have tasted the drink."

The cola has proved such a hit that the firm has already expanded into other fizzy drinks lines, including orange and lemon, as well as spring water.

And Mrs Parveen said there were plans to expand the range even further, including Qibla Tea, which is based on a new herbal tea recipe she has developed.

But, despite the rapidly expanding nature of her business, Mrs Parveen said the greatest thrill was in seeing the good work that is being done with the ten per cent of the profits which go to charity. And she stressed the community role the firm plays in Derby where she also runs a computer education centre.