1up has an interesting piece up now called "Islamogaming" which takes a close look at what gaming means to Muslims as well as some of the games that have come out of the region.

Games range from teaching children about the Koran to those featuring the Iranian rescue of a nuclear scientist from American forces to a Palestinian uprising against Israeli police.

"In the past half decade a number of projects have emerged from the Muslim world, all sharing a similar goal: to subvert the typical gaming stereotype of Arabs as bad guys by replacing the typical American or European action hero with a recognizably Muslim protagonist."

"Though relatively small, Islamogaming is also a diverse field, ranging from amateur projects by students, unabashed anti-Zionist propaganda produced by an internationally recognized terrorist organization, religious games produced to teach Islam to kids, and a set of more sober games designed to explore the complex realities of Middle Eastern history."

I'm not going to pretend I understand half of what goes on in the Middle East so I don't have any witty remarks. But it's certainly an eye-opener in many respects as I had no idea about any of this in regards to gaming. Definitely worth reading to not only get a better picture of gaming culture's affects the world over but to get a basic understanding of what these people are dealing with on a daily basis even if you don't necessarily agree with their beliefs.

Good for 1up and CGW for going there. Check it out HERE.