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‘Muslim Massacre’ computer game condemned
A computer game in which players control an American soldier sent to “wipe out the Muslim race” has been condemned as offensive and tasteless by a British Muslim group.
The goal of “Muslim Massacre,” which can be downloaded for free on the Internet, is to “ensure that no Muslim man or woman is left alive,” according to the game’s creator. Players control an “American Hero” armed with a machine gun and rocket launcher who is parachuted into the Middle East. Users progress through levels, first killing Arabs that appear on screen and later taking on Osama Bin Laden. The game’s creator, a freelance programmer known as Sigvatr, described the game on the SomethingAwful.com website as “fun and funny.” In a “How you can help” section, he writes to visitors: “Don’t whine about how offensive and ‘edgy’ this is.” British Muslim youth organization The Ramadhan Foundation expressed its “deep condemnation and anger” at the game. The group said: “This game is glorifying the killing of Muslims in the Middle East and we urge ISP providers to take action to remove this site from their services as it incites violence toward Muslims and is trying to justify the killing of innocent Muslims. We have written to the British government to urge an inquiry into this game and take action to shut down the site. This is not satire but a deliberate attempt to demonize Muslims.” The foundation’s chief executive, Mohammed Shafiq, added: “Encouraging children and young people in a game to kill Muslims is unacceptable, tasteless and deeply offensive. “There is an increase in violence in this country and some of it comes from video games. When kids spend six hours a day on violent games they are more likely to go outside and commit violence. “If it was the other way around, with a game featuring Muslims killing Israelis or Americans, there would be uproar and rightly so. “I would urge ISPs to take action against sites like this and there can be no justification for this sort of video game. I hope the person who made this game thinks again.” The game was first released in January this year but has become more popular in recent days after being linked to several prominent blogs.
(LONDON: Josie Clarke I The Independent)
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