December 2nd 2024.
The game in question, Fursan Al-Aqsa: The Knights Of The Al-Aqsa Mosque, has been removed from the Steam platform in the UK. However, it is still available for purchase in the US. This has caused quite a stir, with the game's developer, Nidal Nijm, defending his creation as being no different from popular titles like Call Of Duty.
Valve, the company behind Steam, has previously removed controversial games from their platform, such as one that allowed players to simulate a school shooting and another where the objective was to commit sexual assault. However, this is the first time that the UK's counter-terrorism unit has been involved in such a removal.
The game's removal has sparked speculation and curiosity, as neither Steam nor the Counter-Terrorism Internet Referral Unit have given an exact reason for the decision. Nijm believes that the removal was politically motivated, with the game being accused of promoting "terrorist propaganda."
But what exactly is Fursan Al-Aqsa: The Knights Of The Al-Aqsa Mosque? Developed by Nidal Nijm, a Brazilian-Palestinian, the game has been available to play since April 2022. At first glance, it may seem like a typical military shooter, but it is much more than that.
Describing itself as the "Palestinian Max Payne on steroids," the game takes a bold approach by explicitly depicting the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Players take on the role of a Palestinian student seeking revenge after being tortured by Israeli soldiers and losing family members in an airstrike. The game aims to provide a different perspective and challenge the common portrayal of Muslims and Arabs as terrorists, while also highlighting the impact of the Israeli military occupation on Palestinian lives.
Interestingly, the game is still available for purchase in the US, with its Steam listing stating that it aims to break the "cliché of portraying Muslim and Arabs as terrorists." The description also emphasizes that the game does not promote terrorism or antisemitism, but rather serves as a message of protest against the Israeli military occupation.
However, the game is also unavailable in Germany and Australia, not due to any political reasons, but simply because the developer cannot afford to pay for age ratings.
So why was Fursan Al-Aqsa: The Knights Of The Al-Aqsa Mosque removed from Steam? According to 404 Media, who spoke with Nijm, the game was delisted on October 22, before an update was released allowing players to recreate aspects of a recent attack by Hamas. It appears that the Counter-Terrorism Internet Referral Unit intervened before the update was announced.
In an email shared by Nijm, Valve stated that they had been contacted by the CTIRU and had to comply with their request to remove the game. When asked for more information, the CTIRU declined to comment.
Nijm believes that the game's removal was a "political decision," and that it was deemed "terrorist propaganda." He argues that his game is no different from popular titles like Call Of Duty, specifically mentioning the latest release, which is set during the Gulf War.
Despite the removal of his game, Nijm holds no ill feelings towards Valve, acknowledging their decision and expressing gratitude for allowing him to publish his game on the platform. The game had been available for two years before its removal.
For those interested, there are multiple ways to stay updated on news and developments regarding Fursan Al-Aqsa: The Knights Of The Al-Aqsa Mosque, including email, comments, Twitter, and a newsletter sign-up. To submit letters and features, there is a convenient "Submit Stuff" page available.
In other news, Asmongold's temporary ban on Twitch for his remarks about Palestinians has sparked further discussion on the topic. Additionally, the 90s band, Big Brother, has been praised for showing solidarity with Palestine during their recent hometown performance.
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