Modern Warfare 2 Map Removed In Response to Complaints From Muslim Gamers

Activision temporary pulled the “Favela” map from Modern Warfare 2‘s multiplayer mode over the weekend after receiving complaints from Muslim gamers who took offense to the use of a quote attributed to the Prophet Muhammad.

According to Kotaku, Activision received complaints about paintings with a quote, which read: “Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty.” The fact that the quote was in the map wasn’t what Muslims took issue with, however–it was where they were placed.

The paintings were only located in a bathroom on the map, and one of the paintings was placed above a toilet. Some took this as an offense, and Activision received a number of emails asking that it be addressed. Activision complied.

An Activision representative told Kotaku:

“We apologize to anyone who found this image offensive. Please be assured we were unaware of this issue and that there was no intent to offend. We are working as quickly as possible to remove this image and any other similar ones we may find from our various game libraries.

“We are urgently working to release a Title Update to remove the texture from Modern Warfare 3. We are also working to remove the texture from Modern Warfare 2 through a separate Title Update. Until the TU is ready, we have removed the Favella multiplayer map from online rotation.

“Activision and our development studios are respectful of diverse cultures and religious beliefs, and sensitive to concerns raised by its loyal game players. We thank our fans for bringing this to our attention.

No word on when the map is expected to show back up in Modern Warfare 2‘s map rotation.