Muslim Group Condemns LittleBigPlanet Qur'an Censorship

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M. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D., president of the non-profit American Islamic Forum for Democracy, has joined the controversy surrounding the recall and delay of Media Molecule's LittleBigPlanet (PS3) based on a song containing two lines from the Qur'an.

"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," Jasser said to Edge.

Living up to his organization's name, Jasser put the issue in terms of the quintessentially American free market and freedoms of expression and religion. "To demand that it be withdrawn is predicated on a society which gives theocrats who wish to control speech far more value than the central principle of freedom of expression upon which the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," he stated.

"We personally do not endorse the mixing of Koranic verses felt by Muslims to be the words of God with non-educational videogames," continued Jasser. "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."

"The free market allows for expression of disfavor by simply not purchasing a game that may be offensive," he concluded.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    October 20, 2008 4:25 PM

    Hey look, common sense to the rescue.

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