[News] Capcom Removes Islamic Phrase From Wii Game

I think is good to removed it.

Quote:

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has announced that publisher and developer Capcom has agreed to remove a common Islamic phrase from its forthcoming Wii title Zack & Wiki after receiving complaints from CAIR and others.

As showcased in a preview video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziV03wLGDnY(around 0:43), a sample can be heard saying "Allahu akbar" ("God is most Great"), a phrase, explains CAIR, "frequently repeated religious statements made by Muslims and is used often in daily Islamic prayers."

CAIR has said that a Capcom spokesperson has e-mailed the group saying, "We have already contacted the team working on the game, and the phrase has been removed from the game and will not be heard in future videos released to the public," adding that the developer had received other complaints as well.

In February of 2003, Microsoft Game Studios and DreamFactory's Xbox fighter Kakuto Chojin was recalled for containing clips of the Koran being read as part of its background soundtrack.

CAIR lists itself as America's largest Islamic civil liberties group with 33 offices and chapters in the US and Canada, which strives to "enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding."

Said CAIR communications coordinator Amina Rubin, "We appreciated Capcom's willingness to address Muslim concerns and applaud the company's swift and appropriate actions."

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=14931

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All other aspects aside, it wasn't very clever to integrate it like that in the first place. If you've seen the video, the sample sounds weird and entirely out of place. It should and will be replaced with something much more fitting.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Wait.

"Allahu akbar" ("God is most Great") is offensive?

I could understand CAIR's disdain if the phrase somehow mocked Islam, but a common sentiment that upholds the tenets of their faith, how is this a problem for anyone?

Is CAIR secretly controlled by Zionists or something?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Crash Landon

Wait.

"Allahu akbar" ("God is most Great") is offensive?

I could understand CAIR's disdain if the phrase somehow mocked Islam, but a common sentiment that upholds the tenets of their faith, how is this a problem for anyone?

CAIR wants complete and utter say over anything even remotely related to Islam. (As they want to convert the whole world to Islam, you can draw your own conclusions there...) As such, it's not surprising at all that they would make such a request. Capcom should have simply declined, however, with a "Thanks for your concerns. How 'bout you stick to continuing to try to take over the world from the 'infidels,' and we'll stick some humorous Islamic phrases in the re-re-re-remake of Resident Evil."

If Capcom games don't have Islamic phrases, the terrorists win!!11!!!

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Woah woah. I just looked at your local Timezone RYU. Please elaborate on why you agree with the decision to remove it.

EDIT: Ok I jsut watched the video. Never mind then. Probably a good move from Capcom.

How ya doing, buddy?

O, humanity. If it would have been "Sweet Jebus", nobody would have given a damn. Not that other religions are any better, but muslims tend to be hypersensitive regarding that matter (at least their spokespersons).

The inclusion in the game is of course disputable, but I think they just took the sample because it sounded "cool", like the original Fire Temple music from Ocarina of Time.

Quote:

CAIR lists itself as America's largest Islamic civil liberties group with 33 offices and chapters in the US and Canada, which strives to "enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding."

Good thing the press release detailed the reasons for their complaint. I think a "duh" is in order here...

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Sickening. So in other words we have a complete, across the board capitulation of free speech because once again faith is something we must respect. This must have something to do with that silly twit Paula Zhan who just recently ran a story on CNN about Islamophobia. Is Islamophobia racist? One of her guests was a caucasian man representing CAIR which to me is odd on every level possible. It's just aswell that the phrase was removed from the game only because it was entirely out of context. The reason of course it was removed is because Capcom doesn't want to be the ones responsible for more embassies being burned down and people slaughtered in the streets. Surely we all remember that great flowering of spiritual and ethical wisdom shown by the Muslims after the Danish cartoons. But nevermind that, Islam is a religion of peace. And they will kill you if you think otherwise.

FELIPE NO

I don't see what the problem is with the use. It's an actual saying, it's not being teased, and it's not being used in vein. Obviously the party whom requested it's removal couldn't see the matter for what it was. But at the same time it's nothing really pivotal to the game where a big deal needs to be made of the matter by either side. CAPCOM has already responded to the request and it's time to move on.

On the other hand the small issue with RE5 that was undeniably going to happen sooner or later is a little more vital for CAPCOM to win.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

As silly as it sounds, seeing the video, I couldn't help but think "WTF? Why did they choose to insert that THERE? That's so out of place.".

I think that it COULD easily be misinterpreted, and deemed as as an act of "religious ignorance" (I really don't know how to put it into words, but it's when you completely ignore the religion's, or culture's (i.e. "cultural ignorance") original attributes and use it sporadically in an out-of-place environment), but I have no reason to agree with the people thinking in this matter since I find the whole matter quite silly.

Thus, I wouldn't be personally offended by this. I'd probably just raise an eyebrow, question it's relevance, and that would be that.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I'll explain why is better to removed.

Allahu akbar not only used to often in daily Islamic prayers.also say it on prayer and invocation.

Allahu akbar mean in arabic "God is great,is the one,is not there other gods only him"

There's nowhere I can't reach.

So what's the problem? It's the people of the religion who are raising the matter, not another religious group who's beliefs who differ from that of the phrase. Therefore the case in that context doesn't make sense.

I'm sure that CAPCOM would easily win the case if it ever went to court, but seeing how insignificant the matter is, they obviously took the phrase out knowing it would be easier.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Slayer X

On the other hand the small issue with RE5 that was undeniably going to happen sooner or later is a little more vital for CAPCOM to win.

True that. I'm curious as to how many complaints Capcom will get for that one.

Originally Posted by RYU

Allahu akbar mean in arabic "God is great,is the one,is not there other gods only him"

And that's offensive how? I'd really like to know. I mean SILENT HILL frequently refers to God, yet nobody complained about that kind of "blasphemy".

Can you imagine a world without religion?

Believe in God, don't believe in God - it doesn't really matter, just don't support religion because "They're all pretty much the same", trying to control people and leeching money out of them.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by RYU

I'll explain why is better to removed.

Allahu akbar not only used to often in daily Islamic prayers.also say it on prayer and invocation.

Allahu akbar mean in arabic "God is great,is the one,is not there other gods only him"

We know that already. I think what you should rather try to explain is why a Muslim would feel offended by the use of this sentence in a video game.

I was speaking idiomatically.

1. Some quotes form Gaf which can explain the issue further
"maybe it was just an old stock audio file and none of the developers knew what it was"
^^Highest possibilty^^

"Muslims would probably find this offensive because it is a phrase used a lot during praying and worship. and seeing as how those savages were performing some kind of ritual it would probably hint that those savages were somehow related to Muslims.
SAVAGES=MUSLIMS, got it?


in the end they took out the sound (which sounded totally out of place anyway) , no harm done and thank you Capcom for responding to the matter."

2. Sometimes jap mess with religions do this to show thier obscene creativity
read this
http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3149411

3. Now this is my point and not brought up anyone any where on net yet,
undying , the pc game had same text wriiten in otherworld.
The game was anned not in muslim countries but by china and singapore siezed the copies, saying that this was done deliberatley to represent the evil guy onerus(ohterworld boss) believes in muslim God, justified by same scripture written in his world. It haopened back then, later a patch was released to remove it. Now when i search no stories can be found, wonder why.

4. The text/word used is not problem but see the context.
In cairo shantytown(deusex2) , there is whole prayer of Islam in Mosque, but developers were intelligent enough to not include any heavy music or chant, and it was fitting the context without any DISRESPECT. And no ban or protest against that.

5. For all people who don't give a shit about thier own religion, i dont expect that you will understand jack shit about other religions and their sensitive parts.

6. More reason for offence
From shacknews
"The offending scene depicts several adorable 'monsters' slowly circling a pole in what appears to be a sacred dance. At one point, they pause to fill 'skulls' with soup from an oversized pot".

Using skulls, tribaldance, monsters/savages is purely satanic practice in Islam to beginwith, now they have used the most Holy sentence in conjunction with these, which offended Muslims and therefore removal is rightly justified, case closed.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

But Islam is a cult of suicide bombers! Why should we care about sensitivity?

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Crash Landon

Wait.

"Allahu akbar" ("God is most Great") is offensive?

I could understand CAIR's disdain if the phrase somehow mocked Islam, but a common sentiment that upholds the tenets of their faith, how is this a problem for anyone?

Is CAIR secretly controlled by Zionists or something?

The problem is when it's used. That's a phrase that's reserved for prayer time. It's said solemnly during prayer as a submission to Allah. In the clip the characters are celebrating so it's used out of the context in which it is intended.

Furthermore what's depicted looks a little paganesque. I can understand why they don't want a sacred phrase being repeated while these characters ceremoniously dance around a cauldron; something which isn't in line with their faith.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I would ask who on earth representing CAIR was trawling the depths of Youtube for video game videos in the off-chance that one game out there may be offending in nature to them, but this isn't the first time this has happened so I guess there's no point in asking.

I personally don't hear enough Jews and Christians bitching that their religious texts are being abused in video games, but maybe that is because those particular religions don't have as much respect for their own religion than Muslims do?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I think these religious groups need to check out RPGs.... :P

There's nowhere I can't reach.

They need to check out BIBLE GAMES.

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Let's also ask Ragnarok Online to remove all it's spells called after Catholic liturgy, k

~_~

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Originally Posted by The Dopefish

I would ask who on earth representing CAIR was trawling the depths of Youtube for video game videos in the off-chance that one game out there may be offending in nature to them, but this isn't the first time this has happened so I guess there's no point in asking.

I personally don't hear enough Jews and Christians bitching that their religious texts are being abused in video games, but maybe that is because those particular religions don't have as much respect for their own religion than Muslims do?

Exactly that was my point, Jews and christians dont't give any respect to their religion, its thier mistake.
But when it comes to Gays/lesbian rights and stuff, evryone becomes sensitive. Morals more than religion, irony of life.
I think other religion people also should start respecting their religion. Don't make religion fun or playground.

Originally Posted by Bigblah

But Islam is a cult of suicide bombers! Why should we care about sensitivity?

I don't know your background, if this statement is manifestation of your personal grudge against Muslim or what, but Islam is really big religion and expanding. The rate of convertees form other religion to Islam is highest, and when you talk about extremists they are in minority, not even 20%.
There are blacksheeps in every religion, don't take them as criteria to judge the whole religion.( i have met so many christians who also support gay rights and pride like hell,most of them even are homo, if i were to act like you then i would be considering every chriastian as gay, which is totally stupid).

Most of the times these people do whatever they want in wake of Islamic teachings but read the principles of religion if its actually there in books rather than bashing whole religion for acts of stupid extremist people.

These people you are referring to had infact gained cult status wihtin Islam and spoiling image but remember they are only nominally Islamic.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I realize you're just making numbers up, but 20% is a pretty big portion of people, man.

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You also need to take a chill pill. Bigblah was clearly kidding around. I swear, religion really brings out the worst in people. It's ironic because as far as I can tell it was designed to do the exact opposite.

FELIPE NO

Well as long as it's not challenged everything is all fine and dandy, thing is that it akways seems that 80% of religious people no matter the religion are always SO defensive all the time.

CHILL THE FUCK OUT, BITCHES!!!

However I always did fail to see the difference between "religious groups" and "cults" arn't they both kind of along a similar line? Just that one is goverment recongized of course

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I am going to enjoy Zak & Wiki significantly more now that there are no references to God in it, especially if those references were Islamic.

although admittedly, I wouldn't have known what the phrase meant if it had persisted in the game

Jam it back in, in the dark.