Iran: Salman Rushdi fatwa highlighted at video game expo
Author becomes subject of possibly violent game introduced during Iran's second annual International Computer Games Expo
The second annual International Computer Games Expo was held in Iran last week – an event described by organizers as an "opportunity to present Iranian culture, values and Islamic identity," the Islamic republic's Press TV reported.
The fair was meant to serve as a platform for Iranian gaming innovation.
The unlikely subject of one game introduced during the expo was Salman Rushdie, world-renowned author who became the target of a notorious fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 23 years ago.
Girl at expo (Screenshot)
The game – which has yet to be completed – aims to teach the next generation about the "sin" for which the author of "The Satanic Verses" was doomed to death by the ayatollah, according to a report in the Guardian.
The game is titled "The Stressful Life of Salman Rushdie and Implementation of his Verdict." While little has been revealed about the nature of the game, its title suggests players will be asked to carry out Khomeini's call for the killing of the writer.
According to the British newspaper, Khomeini described "The Satanic Verses" as "blasphemous against Islam" in 1989. His fatwa caused an international stir and the UK severed diplomatic relations with Iran for years.
Video game expo (Screenshot)
Rushdie went into hiding and received police protection. The author was previously lauded by the Iranian government for another novel, "Midnight's Children," which was named the book of the year by the Islamic Republic.
Iranian army releases game
The game is being developed by the Islamic Association of Students, a government-sponsored organization.
Three years ago, the student association and Iran's national foundation of computer games asked students across the country to submit scripts for the game. The top three scenarios were handed over to video developers. Even though the endeavour initially experienced technical difficulties, the student union announced last week it had completed initial phases of production.
'Battle in the Gulf of Aden' preview
In June, the local media reported the Iranian army has introduced its very first video game, "Battle in the Gulf of Aden," which featured "the Iranian navy's mighty presence in the international waters and navy commandos' fight with the pirates," according to Fars.
"The player of the game will take the role of an Iranian commando who should fight and kill pirates in the Gulf of Aden and then find and destroy their hideouts in a bid to find and kill the buccaneers' ringleader," the state news agency reported.
