What is Muhammad's Image doing in game files?

[FeelGood]

It's time people stopped confusing the right to have a belief with the right to impose it on others

Though you have the right to believe in this, you must not forget the right of others. In Islam, it`s a fact that The Prophets picture must not be drawn/printed in any way. Though this is not exetended to any other religions, we should respect other religion in term of human right. So, simple! Respect others for us to be respected. Human right is universal and for all human beings in this world. Conflicts will always arise if we talk about it. Just as an example, if you neighbor is partying all night that it disturb your family, would you leave him and let you family suffer ? I`ll for sure try will take some action unless you still think it`s his right to do whatever he want. So, it has to be balanced to create a win-win situation.

It's alright to have Moses pictures in places we can see, and Jesus pictures in places we can see, but heaven-forbid someone has a picture of Muhammad the entire Muslim World wants to go to war over it

Another argument of blatant ignorance. It`s just a request to not do it from "mainstream" muslim. Is this mean war ?

And Im pretty sure in one of the Hadith it is said, Countrys with woman as their leaders will not prosper.

Where in the world have you read about this hadith ?

I believe Naveed's argument has credence in the fact that the entire Muslim world disallowed for the depiction of people and animals for a very, very long period of time and the tradition carried over to photography and modern art. Many modern Muslims seek to overthrow this antiquated tradition by producing works of art depicting the Prophet Muhammed himself, offending many

Living in the modern world is not an excuse to throw out everything that has been set long ago. It`s been mentioned for so many times that photography is allowed. So does reason. The main fact is the drawing/picture depicting Muhammad (pbuh) is not allowed. The reason: to avoid people from worshipping him. It`s the God that should be worshipped. You know human, right?

Oh, really? Then what's all the ruckus with a few (not the majority) of Muslims who get offended whenever their photographs are taken? Something about their souls being stolen? I can't think of any other religion that holds such beliefs

It`s just minority! It doesn`t mean that all muslims behave this way or it`s the real rule of Islam. Anywhere in the world people (not just Muslim) tend to be extreme. Islam is about tolerance and peace.

World peace

 

[Sol Invictus]

Well thankfully we aren't playing an Arabic version of Civilization IV so I fail to see why this is an issue. So perhaps there shouldn't be any pigs in Civilization IV either, because that's offensive to some people, eh? After all, it is probably even more offensive that you can indeed play as Arabs in Civ IV and cultivate a pasture on a land space containing pigs.

If the Germans don't take issue with the presence of the Swastika in games like Wolfenstein except in the German release, I don't see why any Arabic person is going to take issue with this considering the fact that it isn't even in the game.

Living in the modern world is not an excuse to throw out everything that has been set long ago. It`s been mentioned for so many times that photography is allowed. So does reason. The main fact is the drawing/picture depicting Muhammad (pbuh) is not allowed. The reason: to avoid people from worshipping him. It`s the God that should be worshipped. You know human, right?

There are reasons to throw a lot of things that were 'set' ages ago by ignorant people who had ignorant beliefs. Ages ago, it was perfectly reasonable to stone a woman to death for adultery, and in some countries today, it still happens. I do not think it is reasonable to do things like these any more than it is reasonable to set ridiculous rules on how a person can express himself (e.g. not allowed to draw pictures). I am sure that most people are intelligent enough to know the difference between god (a being we cannot even begin to comprehend) and a picture on a wall.

Many people find slavery distasteful and offensive, so why is there a Slavery civic in Civilization 4? How about the fact that representations of people actually kill other representations of people in the game? Isn't that offensive? The Bible, the Torah and the Al Quran all state "Thou shalt not kill" but clearly, you are committing the act of killing by sending units to fight each other in Civilization IV.

When you really think about it, Civilization IV is like a grand compendium of man's sinful ways throughout the ages.

 

[gunnergoz]

Enjoy your religions...or your atheism; I don't care which. Just don't tell me what to do and what to have on my computer. Let me judge what is appropriate. You do what you like on your own computer. Delete or ignore files that offend you. Don't expect everyone to agree with your definition of what is offensive.

 

[Muad-Dib]

I just dug out the file. It's 10x10 pixels, and there's just the outline of the head, there's no actual facial features or anything on it.

 

[Hypus]

Perhaps its material that should have been used to include the Turks as civ? Since Turks did make an appearance in prior Civ games and IMHO should have been included instead of Arabs.

Agreed

I was so looking forward to crushing them with my Southward expansion.

The Turkish Empire was really the cradle of the entire middle east I would say--definitely overlooked. good point

 

[Louis XXIV]

I just dug out the file. It's 10x10 pixels, and there's just the outline of the head, there's no actual facial features or anything on it.

Than wouldn't it be ok to post a picture so I can see what it looks like?

If there are no facial features, it really isn't Muhammad. I could say my avatar is a picture of Muhammad, but I wouldn't actually have a picture of him.

 

[Sol Invictus]

I was quite surprised to find out that the Ottomans wouldn't be among the list of Civilizations for Civ 4. They were always one of the staples of "civilization" in the history books, much more so than the Mongols, for example, whose civilization lasted for as long as the glow of a firefly under a sky full of stars at night.

 

[JiggleTheHandle]

This seems like someone is just looking for a new "Hot Coffee" controversy.

 

[Muad-Dib]

This is what we're arguing over

 

[GenocideBringer]

In Islam, portraits/pictures of Muhammed are condemned because they think that if that is allowed, people will start worshipping him instead of God.

My guess is that Firaxis added it in as the leader of the arabs, but removed it in order not to piss anyone off.

 

[alireza1354]

I am a muslim. But I have no problem whatsoever with a Muhammad leaderhead.

I can live with that. Nor am I going to worship him instead of God

And I bet the majority of muslims are cool with that too.

As a matter of fact, in shiism, its perfectly normal to make pictures of Mohammad or others. (for the record: I am NO shi'ite)

Greetings!

 

[wit>trope]

Answer to OP:

Because the Civ 4 creators and the companies are not Muslim.

Inevitable Follow up question:

But shouldn't they respect everyone's religious sentiments and not do anything to offend anyone?

Answer:

No. Then they would have to not have any images at all since there are actually a small number of religious people who think any image of any created thing is wrong (so they don't take photos and stuff -- this is sometimes in the news)

Inevitable 2nd Follow Up:
But shouldn't they then not try to offend such a large number of people?

Answer:
No, what's important is the market they are selling to. Traditional Muslim societies do not make up a large amount of their intended market. If they don't want to serve some markets, then that's their choice. Instead of complaining get together and make Muslim companies just like they have Christian companies that make Christian games (like Christian FPS games and stuff)

 

[trotskylite]

i think 'christian fps games' is giving 3d noah's ark a bit too much credit

 

[gunnergoz]

This whole issue originated in what I consider the hypersensitivity of one individual who is wholly absorbed in their own issues and concerns with little evidence of proportion, good judgement or rationality. Rather than commend Firaxis for not using the supposedly offending file (recognizing that it is not in use and certainly would never have come to the attention of 99 per cent of game owners, this individual seeks to spark a conflagration from the tiniest of tinder...which was hidden under a rock to begin with. With the demand to remove the file, the individual escalates this further to an imposition of his views upon the makers of the program and by implication, upon those who already own copies with the supposedly offensive file. As I have stated earlier, those who seek our opportunities to be offended will seldom be disappointed. I think the stance is pathological.

 

[Sol Invictus]

Gunnergoz, I must commend you on your astute observation of the situation. Well done.

 

[Ninja Queen]

The Turkish Empire was really the cradle of the entire middle east I would say--definitely overlooked. good point

W-what?

How was the Ottoman Empire possibly the cradle of South West Asia?

 

[mark24]

I think the religious in general, not just the muslims, need to grow thicker skins. There is no group of people on the planet that is easier to offend than a religious group of any stripe. There is nothing implicitly wrong with publishing an image of Mohammed, or anyone else for that matter.

What's so special about an image of the starter of the Islamic religion as opposed to anyone elses religion? If they get offended, then it really is a comment on them, not the rest of the world.

Apologies to all right-minded muslims, this was never aimed at you.

Mark

 

[Tactician Zhao]

I think getting into a fuss about a 10x10 pixel image in a game is the most silly situation ever.

Some people really need to cut down on the insanity pills.

As a schizophrenic, I find your use of the word "insanity" offensive.. I demand that you remove it from your post and apologize immediately!

I do not know much of western religion, but do the beliefs of one apply to non-worshippers? I am confused about that, I'm afraid.. I am all for sensitivity, though, but I would think the inclusion of such a figure would be a tribute to his importance, and therefor a compliment.. but, clearly, I do not understand the issue perfectly

 

[wit>trope]

i think 'christian fps games' is giving 3d noah's ark a bit too much credit

There have been around 5 or 10 Christian company made FPS games. Some have religious themes and some do not have religious themes that are as obvious. Most of them do not sell well.

PS

It is CRITICAL that the file have been kept because now modders can use it. The Muslims aren't forced to download the mods that use it.

 

[Anima Croatorum]

W-what?

How was the Ottoman Empire possibly the cradle of South West Asia?

Once you take away Big M. The only man left to lead the Arabs is a Kurd.

Anyway, OE was the longest and most powerful muslim empire in history. Plus they called all the shots in ME for four centuries in continuity.