Murad Ahmed, Technology Reporter
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A computer game in which players control an American soldier on a mission to “wipe out the Muslim race” has been condemned as tasteless and offensive by British Muslim groups.
The game called Muslim Massacre, which is available as a free download over the internet, allows players to take control of an “American Hero” whose goal is to “ensure that no Muslim man or woman is left alive.”
After being parachuted into the Middle East armed with a machine gun and rocket launcher, the aim is to kill as many Arabs as possible – some dressed as terrorists, others apparently civilians.
Players progress through various levels where they take on Osama bin Laden, Mohammed and finally Allah.
The game’s creator, a freelance programmer known as Sigvatr, described the game as “fun and funny”, but it has sparked anger amongst British Muslim groups who accused it of glamourising violence against Muslims in the Middle East.
“Encouraging children and young people in a game to kill Muslims is unacceptable, tasteless and deeply offensive,” said Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of The Ramadhan Foundation, a leading British Muslim youth organisation.
He added: “'If it was the other way around, with a game featuring Muslims killing Israelis or Americans, there would be uproar and rightly so.”
Mr Shafiq called for internet service providers to remove the site from its services.
There was confusion as to whether the game, as some had argued, was a parody of American foreign policy.
Writing on an online forum, Sigvatr, said: “I think it's pretending to be legitimate commentary and I'm sure there will be lots of people who defend it on those grounds, but ultimately it's just a game where you blow the gently caress (slang for a common swear word) out of arabs.”
“Anyone is free to believe whatever they won't (sic) though, because I don't even know how to interpret it myself anymore. The bottom line is that I enjoyed making it and it's fun to play.”
But later, he added: “The Muslims represented in the game aren't meant to be based on actual Muslims.
“If I was to try and come up with a meaning for the game at this moment, it would probably be something along the lines of metaphorically destroying the stereotypical depiction of a Muslim.”
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UN s job is human rights isnt it
and it contain racism dis is racism
if UN cant stop it then UN s power is useless
WE SHOULD STOP THIS GAME AT ANY COST
Rabi, karachi, Pakistan
Is this Sigvatr character actually American? We're just making assumptions with that...
...and it would be foolish to consider this the typical point of view for one as well.
Aaron, Detroit, MI, United States
Mr. Mike of Spain what about American and Western state terrorism against the world specially against muslims. I never heared any news in my life any muslim attack against Japan, Russia, Finland even France and so many other western countries. Why the Muslim are against America, Britian and Israel?
Arslan, Multan, Pakistan
this is completely unaccecptable on all levels. this is going against the human rights, racisam and not to mention violant. ok then, so we have a war going on, on this planet and honestly thats mostly between presidants and its all about wealth and power. but why the hell is it between us.
amirah, london, gb
Unlike Muslim Massacre which is a 2nd rate shoot em up game in the fashion of Wolfenstein where no one actually dies, I find the promotion of real killing by British Muslims not just tasteless but deeply offensive and illegal. Why cant Muslims separate fact from fiction and get real for once.
Mike, Alicante, Spain
ppl wake up..pls stop attacking each others religion. christan n muslims believe in the same god. The question here is why condemn such a disgraceful game? well first of all it is attacking our religious beliefs our Allah and our Prophet saw. wke up ppl america is the topest in killing savilians.
saima, leeds, uk
I must admit, as much as I hate to agree with Ibrahim from Karachi, he makes a most noble and honest statement when he states that what if it was "Christians Massacre." Clearly this is the case going on in every Muslim country in real life but what does this albeit a game make us, just like them?
DAVID, san diego, USA
I'd let my kids play this game, it's awesome
bill smith, Los Angeles, USA
i am enjoying the lameness of some of the ppl here supporting the idea behind the creation of this stupid game..some say its fun and funny ..i say how fun would tht be if it was " Christians massacre " ..honestly tell me does it sound funny or does it sound offensive ..you being christians .
ibrahim, karachi, pakistan
dominic since when have muslims been killing innocent men and woman? you are stereo typing now. just because one person did something dont mean you have to blame the whole religion. Anyways this game should be removed immediately and the maker should be severely punished.
sami, London, UK
Viz Mr. Shafiq's comment: when 'Kaboom: The Suicide Bombing Game', which depicts the murder of Israelis, came out a couple of years ago, there was very little uproar. Most saw it as a somewhat tasteless joke and didn't want to give it the oxygen of publicity. I suggest he does likewise.
Leo, York, UK
This game is absoulotely sick. It shouold be banned straight away. Its so offensive if it was hitlers army going across poland killing all the jews it would be banned straight away. Or if it was bin ladan and his pals blowing up the twin towers. It sickening and an insult to Muslims.
Tofazzal Rashid, Port Talbot, Wales
How about Jew Massacre? Or a full action Holucast game? where each jew gassed gets you a point?
Anyways, the game would be illegal in Canada, because it incites hate and the programmer could face serious consequences.
king, toronto, canada
While I do NOT agree with the game - it is JUST a game.
It seems that a lot of Muslim people are offended by a fantasy.
I would like to say that the REALITY of Muslims blowing up innocent Men, Women and Children is offensive.
More offensive than a stupid video game could EVER be.
Dominic, London, UK
After reading this I went and straight away downloaded this, had a good laugh, got bored and deleted it. People are stupid.
Jack, Bristol, England
IM ABSOLUTELY GUTTERED!! This is outragous! The americans will never give up untill they make sure that the muslim history and race is wiped! This will never happen because there is a god who will protect! This game is meant to mentally destroy and target "muslims".Will americans allow the opposite?
Essam, LOndon, UK
What is your problem people!!!!! The game is the same as space invaders or others of that ilk. The only differance is its muslems not space alians.
or perhaps it might be saying what a lot of people in the UK are thinking.
Mike Allen, Preston, England
Utterly tasteless if what i have read is true. Entirely indicative of ignorance inciting hate, despairingly, this game will breed contempt for muslims whether intended or not, and clearly it is reasonable that such a result is likely. Muslims are not hateful or intolerant...
deannasser, london, uk
...it isnt muslims that are hateful or capable of the atrocities being attributed to them, it is the terrorist that is responsible - no longer a muslim because murder is against the teachings of islam - in the words of the most commonly known muslim phrase, 'assalum alaikum' meaning peace be upon u.
deannasser, london, uk
If it was the other way round then the Muslim who created the game would probably have been arrested under terrorism laws for spreading hatred towards the western community.
Khan, West Ham,
Best game EVER! I feel like I am back in Iraq~
Ben, Cooper, USA
I find people that find this sickening hilarious. Hilarious enough to condemn the game and post a comment. Yes. Condemn it - Right to the top of the Google Science & Tech column.
Kyle, Portsmouth,
If Muslim leaders think a computer game is a significant part of all the problems they have, then we are all in more trouble than I thought. As well as condeming the game, they should be asking themselves why someone bothered to make it and why it has become so popular.
Rich, London,
There are plenty of "offensive" video games out there ,which offend many groups,but when one comes along which are offensive to the minority muslim community,then a big issue is made.I dont like offensive,violent,lewd,videos at all,but censorship is not the answer,and never has been
Albert Cooper, Norwich, England
Bet this will be the next wiiware title
Michael, Ipswich, UK
The game was linked and promoted on the SomethingAwful.com web forum, a site with the tagline 'the internet makes you stupid' and devoted to mocking the pompous and overserious.
From the comments posted so far from those clearly unable to recognise parody, it seems they've hit the jackpot.
Tim, Stoke-on-Trent,
Was just going over commemorations news on the 911 tragedy with all its colours in various parts of world. Has one shed a single drop over the hundreds of thousands innocents killed even as we write as a result of the invasions??
Are some lives better than others?
Ahmed, London, UK
Ok, so there are an odd few Muslims out there that blow up others as well as themselves but this is not what Islam is about, and you simply cannot judge everyone for the small minority of individuals that carry out these activities. E.g You cannot label al Christians as gays because of the bishops.
Ramzan, Reading, UK
How many times have we seen tasteless real life videos of radical Muslim extremists vowing to exterminate all "non believers", (that would include my children by the way) We know these people are in the minority. I would hope all muslims would react as we do and try to ignore these idiots.
Ian, Linlithgow, Scotland
The fact that u would even consider letting u're kids play it is just crazy.
cuz i know my parents would never let me play some game in which i kill a bunch of people for the sake of havin fun.
Muram, Khartoum,
I have just watched documentaries commemorating 9/11, culminating in the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. No video game can convey the savagery of that atrocity. Long may reality, rather than some tasteless game, remind us who our true enemies are.
Andrew Waldron, Bournemouth, UK
How about a game where you get to exterminate people who want to censor video games? Now that would be a best seller!
Robert Firth, Singapore,
This game is totally unacceptable, and its distribution needs to be stopped and the game maker charged with hate crime.
Having said that, Muslims should take a look into the mirror. If it wasn't for Islamic extremists killing people up all over the world, no one will be writing this "game".
Chris, Auckland, New Zealand
What about the "Disney-esque" cartoon on Arab tv, indoctronating children to kill "infidels". Seems we have a double standard here.......
I'm sure if it were the other way around (a Muslim killing anyone who is not Muslim) it would be "tch, tch" from the local imam, but no condemnation or outrage,
J Wagner, Ohio, USA
Lets cut the double standards. The game incites racial and religious hatred and therefore should be banned, and legal action should be considered against the developers.
Quest, London, UK
Frankly it's amazing that a game such as exists, but what's even more amazing is the reaction of some of the posters on this site who think it's acceptable and defensible.
Have we really been so indoctrinated with a hate and fear that we think it's ok for a game like this exist?
Kass, London,
the muslim community need to remember this is a christian nation,and though i am irreligious they should have respect for there host nations ways .the muslim community is its own worst enemy,and they will provoke this kind of hatred ,and it will get worse the west are getting sick of it.
w b hickock, leeds,
Muslims shouldnot protest any remark or caricature about Allah because He does not to belong to Islam or any religion.there is no necessity for Him to be protected by any.So let them do any ting regarding Allah in Video games.He will deal in a befitting way.
yusuf, canannore, India
Bush would throw bombs if an Arab published a game where you have to eradicate all Americans, and get to shoot Bush, Christ and God.
McCain would bomb Iran if Ahmadinejad went on stage singing "bomb bomb bomb bomb the US", but he sings "bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran" himself.
Double standards...
Bernhard, Ebertswil, Switzerland
You can't eliminate hatred by censoring our environment. People (especially those with a religious faith) should be able to look at this game and not feel anger. Do not harbor feelings of hate, anger, revenge, hostility- There is no reason to hate muslims, and there is no reason to hate the game
Geo, Chilliwack, Canada
So what it is a game. I think Christians should read their holy book and see how much blood shed is in it .
See what I did. I changed one word. Now what? I can only imagine if a game depicting the murdering of Jews came out how it would be received.
Michael Le Couteur, CD, Victoria, Canada
Yep. If it were a game where you could play a Nazi "hero" and wipe out all the Jews all the way to Jehovah, you bet this would be shut down and shut down HARD. But, Muslims? Look at all the impressionable posters who already write that it's OK.
annie baker, rockville,
An excellent wheeze to get the hearts racing of the supremely pious.
I really don't know what is more hilarious the pious howls indignation or the game!
Dude, London, England
Would the government be so lenient on a game where you played the role of Hitler executing Jews in the gas chambers, or a game where you played the role of a Ku-Klux-Klansman shooting black people? I think not. Harsh penalties for racists and Nazis, soft touch for viciously offending Muslims.
Riaz, Hampshire, England
If Muslim extremists did not blow stuff up; people would not write silly video games.
Put things into perspective please.
One is a video game, the other is real life.
Which one has killed more or incited more hatred?
Tim Williams, Chester, Chester
Although i can't condone this - with all the evil things muslims are doing all over the world in the name of their so called prophet and a god that can only be called satan - it was only a matter of time before westerners kicked back, but at least its in a peaceful way rather than blowing up buses.
David, Darlo,
This is more than just tasteless or offensive, its almost criminal and deserving legal prosecution, as it encourages hate and might influence vulnerable young people towards discrimination and intolerance. That site should be closed immediately to send a clear message that inciting hate is wrong.
Mark, London, United Kingdom
I basically just think the creator of the game did this on purpose just to get a bit of attention...he is promoting the worng message. The game should be banned
Stephanie Parker, Newport, USA
So what it is a game. I think muslim should read their holy book and see how much blood shed is in it .
john ford, manchester, england
Offensive this game may be, Muslims are quite justified to be outraged. It is as outrageous as Muslims marching through London with placards advocating murder of 'non-believers' and those who insult Islam.
Everybody should show tolerance and advocate peace rather than apply broad brush stereotypes
Gray, Oxford, Oxon
I agree, because of this publicity I've downloaded to see what it is about...curious . Ok tasteless it is, but why tell me about it.
Freddy Friday Halifax
freddy, halifax, uk
Players progress through various levels where they take on Osama bin Laden, Mohammed and finally Allah.
This sounds really good. I cannot wait to play it and will download it tonight.
Is there a version with evangelical Christians?
Paul Henry, London, Britain
Encouraging children and young people in a game to kill Muslims is unacceptable, tasteless and deeply offensive, said Mohammed Shafiq.
So is encouraging impressionable young Muslim men to kill innocent men, women and children on trains, planes and buses in real life.
Or is that different, somehow?
Frank, Southampton, UK
"Freedom of speech" wouldn't allow a game that promoted a holocaust of Jews, or genocide of Sikhs, so why is it cynically used to excuse a game that advocates a holocaust against Muslims? That's not the difference between "our" culture and "yours". That's just sick double standards & embedded nazism
Hassan Saleemi, London, England
Even the day after the anniversary of 911, two wrongs don't make a right.
Paul, Leeds, England
Absolutely sickening. We allow children to watch nasty brain rotting programmes like Eastenders and then allow them to play at killing for fun. Thank heavens most of us in this world are sane and rational and will simply treat the makers of this game with the disdain they deserve.
Mark, Glasgow,
This is the difference in our cultures. We may not agree with the irreverent nature of this game but the law of OUR lands grants the right to free speech for all, even anti west, hate mongering clerics. So until they get there own house in order I'm sure they can expect more of the same sadly.
alan, buxton, derbyshire
im all for freedom of speech and expression,and im a big big fan of the grand theft auto series, but even i find that rather sickening.
will, grimsby, uk
Would it still be game about Hilter and the Jews. I guess not. World reaction would be splashed across every major press outlet in the west and governments would condemn and isps would ban the site. In the case of Muslims, hardly reported as a minor side story
Shaffiq Mahmood, Halifax, UK
Removing the game wont make the slightest difference. There are countless things out there that will cause offence to any number of social groups. By removing anything that may cause offence to some people would be an endless task.
John Smith, Edinburgh, Scotland
Ironically "muslim outrage" expressed in this way will mean the game becomes the most downloaded piece of software this month.
Seeing martyrdom videos from Muslim extremists, are they really surprised someone comes up with something like this?
Peter, London,