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Rome, 29 July (AKI) - As politicians and the
public try to fathom how well-integrated Muslim
youths in Britain could have been transformed into
the suicide bombers who killed 56 people on London's
transport system, an Italian newspaper has pointed
the finger at violent Islamist videogames which it
says are being promoted at British Islamic centres.
The daily Libero says violent videogames touching on
Jihadi ideology, such as "Ummah Defense" and "Maze
of Destiny", are produced by Islam Games, an
American firm, and distributed in Muslim centres in
Leeds, the home of the four men who died in the July
7 blasts.Islam Games' internet page claims that it
is simply providing an alternative to mainstream
video games, which identify with secular values and
concepts. "By providing an alternative to mainstream
video games, we can help our children, in a subtle
way, learn to identify with Islamic values, and
thereby become more closely attuned to the teachings
of Islam" the company says.
However, the American firm admits "many of the games
available teach things contrary to the teachings of
Islam" and justifies this ambivalence by saying
while Muslim children must be taught the basic facts
of religion, "kids just want to have fun (... ) This
has resulted in a dichotomy between what we choose
to teach our children, and how our children choose
to entertain."
Here is the scenario of "Ummah Defense 1" as
described on the Internet site:
"It's the year 2114 and the Earth is finally united
under the Banner of Islam. As a member of the
Intergalactic Muslim Council, your job is to help
coordinate Dawa (preaching and conversion) efforts
on other planets".
"You couldn't be happier with your work, until the
Flying Evil Robot Armada attacks your home planet of
Earth. It seems there was one disbeliever, known as
Abu Lahab XVIII, left on Earth, and in his desperate
attempt to deny the truth of Islam, he has
constructed a whole army of robots to destroy Earth
and all Muslims. (He needs to use robots because all
humans had embraced Islam".
The firm's internet page confirms its product are
available through an Islamic learning centre in
Leeds - the British city home to the four suicide
bombers of the July 7 attacks.
"Iqra Learning Centre becomes primary distributer of
Islamgames products" reads an item in the 'events'
section ' which refers to a product presentation in
Leeds, on April 30, 2005.
The Italian paper goes on to suggest the London
suicide bombers might have used the videogames to
train themselves shoot down Christian robots and
destroy the infidel army.
www.adnki.com
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