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Muslim Group Condemns LBP “Censorship”
By Kris Graft
October 20, 2008
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"AIFD stands against any form of censorship in the marketplace of ideas whether imposed by government or by corporations intimidated by the response of militants or those with an inappropriately sensitive level of political correctness."
Last week, Sony delayed one of the biggest games of the year when it recalled Media Molecule-developed LittleBigPlanet on fear that in-game music that contained words from the Koran would incite anger among Muslim gamers.
But M. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D., president of the non-profit American Islamic Forum for Democracy told Edge on Monday, “Muslims cannot benefit from freedom of expression and religion and then turn around and ask that anytime their sensibilities are offended that the freedom of others be restricted.
“The free market allows for expression of disfavor by simply not purchasing a game that may be offensive.”
Jasser, who has also appeared on CNN, in the Washington Times and National Review, said that not only does the First Amendment support freedom of expression, but Mohammed also “defended the rights of his enemies to critique him in any way even if it was offensive to his own Islamic sensibilities or respect for Koranic scripture.”
Last week, a purported Muslim poster on Europe’s official PlayStation message boards pointed out that an in-game song in LittleBigPlanet, Tapha Niang by Malian kora player Toumani Diabate, contained audio derived from Koran scriptures.
Diabate is described as a “devout Muslim” in Internet reports.
Such use of Koran scripture would be offensive to Muslim gamers, according to statements made in the forum. “We Muslims consider the mixing of music and words from our Holy Koran deeply offending..." said one poster.
Sony promptly issued a worldwide recall on LittleBigPlanet, delaying the game a few days to address the issue.
Jasser said that the demand to censor, as well as Sony’s willingness to bend at the request, is counterproductive to freedom of speech.
“…To demand that [the game] be withdrawn is predicated on a society which gives theocrats who wish to control speech far more value than the central principle of freedom of expression upon which the very practice and freedom of religion is based.”
Jasser added, “The fact that the music writer is a devout Muslim should highlight that at the core of this issue is not about offending ‘all Muslims,’ but only about freedom of expression and the free market.”
He still said that he does not endorse the use of Koranic versus in non-educational videogames, calling the literature “the words of God.”
But he took a clear stance in upholding First Amendment rights.
“AIFD stands against any form of censorship in the marketplace of ideas whether imposed by government or by corporations intimidated by the response of militants or those with an inappropriately sensitive level of political correctness,” Jasser said.
Sony Computer Entertainment America did not return further request for comment as of press time.
Jasser’s full text, sent exclusively to Edge, is posted on the following page.
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Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court 30 Monmouth Street Bath, UK BA1 2BW
England and Wales company registration number 2008885
Tapha Niang by Malian kora player Toumani Diabate, contained audio derived from Koran scriptures. http://www.crazypurchase.com
I'm so glad there are come sensible people out there at least !! He's absolutely !! Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Speech !! It's political correctness gone completely barmey.
It's not like Sony has gone out of there way to diliberatly offensive to muslims or anyone for that matter. Besides which, the statements make absolute sense to me, a non believer. "Every soul shall have the taste of death" yes absolutly I agree whole heartidly with that. "All that is on earth will perish" - hmm can't really argue with this one either... Doesn't take a song writter, a games developer or a prophet to realise that everyone WILL die.
I actually find it more offensive that the minority rule !!
Religion is the devil.
His views are incredibly refreshing. He's completely right. But then you have to admire how Sony handled it. They took it right off, straight away.
Hmmm. Oh well.
When I can stand face to face with god and spit in his eye, I'll respect religion a little more.
Well it just goes to show you, when you mix religion and every day life, no matter what you do there is going to be some uprise, and conflict, and then a unsatisfying ending.
funny thing is the song is actually quite good
http://kotaku.com/5065845/lets-listen-to-that-controversial-lbp-song#c84...
Religion should be done away with altogether as it's caused nothing but grief.
Anyway, it's the 21st century, can nobody think for themselves these days without some book telling them what to do/think/follow/worship.
No, you're right. Video games and rock stars are much better sources of direction and values than God.
Games and Political correctness, what a horrid combo.
After all the stupid shouts of racsim at Resi 5 i wasnt suprised to see a stupid story such as the currernt story involving Little Big Planet.
Finding the track within the game offensive is quite patheic in my view and the person/persons who made this remark and got the game pushed back are truly attetion seeking and making the Muslim community look a bit silly.
I feel sorry for Sony in this situation as they could easily be backed into a corner and made victim of the pc brigade. I suppose we should praise sony for reacting swiftly however we should also question Sonys right to argue the case.
as someone has alreasy rightly said
On October 20th ayrkain said: New
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
and i agree
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Holy Cow! Not only does he stand up for the 1st Amendment, but he also says he can't judge the game until he has played it!
I certainly understand his statement that he wouldn't be in favor of Koranic verses in a game that was overly violent.
Brian
www.brianwoods.com
A nice response - but with rather recent occurrences of what could technically be called freedom of speech in the back of my head, I can still understand Sony decided to change the release. I highly doubt Sony or MM would be receiving similar death threats as a certain Danish cartoonist and newspaper but I assume that with that in mind, they didn't feel like taking any risks to endanger this rather important new franchise.
Sony reacted a little OTT with the withdrawl ,( although I suspect the individual who stated that they found it offensive could just have easily been some fanboy making 'smart*%$' comments on a forum to put people off . )
There are plenty islamic songs on religious channels on Skytv, and the Koran itself is written in verse form, so I find claims that 'putting religious text to music is offensive' just ISN'T true.
If the content is inoffensive and not used in a degrading manner, regardless of which religion it is associated with, there shouldn't be a problem.
Developers shouldn't have to feel so 'skittish' around the whole 'religion' area, it's common sense whether content is offensive or not, and I think developers broadening creative and aesthetic directions is a good thing.
I hope this doesn't mess things up for Media Molecule, they've made a great game, and I hope it gets the sales it deserves!!!
It's also nice to see a religious organisation stand up for the rights of a game for once!
I honestly think that M. Jasser has the right idea here. This is not only an issue of free speech, but one of ideas and expressionism as well. While I am a proponent of free speech, I can understand how some individuals may find such content offensive, and as Media Molecule had every right to include these particular songs in their game, the Muslim community also had every right to vote their concerns both for and against censorship. Although I assume that no ill-intention was intended on either side of the fence on this one, I can understand how no one would appreciate their belief systems being maligned or trivialized. I applaud both Media Molecule and Sony for being sensitive to their customers, and we as the public eagerly anticipating LBP should thank Sony and Media Molecule for being understanding. After all, we've waited two years since it's first unveiling, what's another two weeks?
I was hoping something like this would happen.
Had that guy on the PS forums not posted this, there would be a midnight launch of LBP at my store tonight. If Sony makes their decision right, maybe I won't have to care which version I end up getting of the yet unreleased game.
If I wanted the original content, I shouldn't have to go searching on ebay. I should be able to get it. If the original content offended me, I shouldn't have to wait longer for a different version, I should be able to just turn it off.
Has anybody ever heard of language filters?
I just read the title... thats all
and the most unintelligent and inappropriate thought crossed my mind, heck i haven't read the text yet and here I am posting...
cue 'asploding' head video... im speechless