Source: BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7768601.stm
A trial version of the first virtual world aimed at the Muslim community has been launched.
Called Muxlim Pal, it allows Muslims to look after a cartoon avatar that inhabits the virtual world.
Based loosely on other virtual worlds such as The Sims, Muxlim Pal lets members customise the look of their avatar and its private room.
Aimed at Muslims in Western nations, Muxlim Pal's creators hope it will also foster understanding among non-Muslims.
"We are not a religious site, we are a site that is focused on the lifestyle," said Mohamed El-Fatatry, founder of Muxlim.com - the parent site of Muxlim Pal.
"This is for anyone who is remotely interested in the Muslim culture and the Muslim lifestyle," he said.
"From what we have seen from our market research is that most Muslims have a lifestyle that is not so different from everybody else," he said. "They all share the core values which are from Islam then beyond that they actually have made identities, they have many interests."
Mr El-Fatatry said Muxlim.com had 26 different categories of content, only one of which was religion. He said he hoped it would help Muslims meet and talk to others that shared their interests.