Muslims, and those interested in the Muslim life in all its variety, will soon have their own virtual world. Called Muxlim Pal, it’s not too dissimilar to the Sims, with users having their own avatars and rooms that they can customize as they choose, according to the BBC.
Mohamed El-Fatatry, founder of Muxlim.com, which is behind the site, 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. They all share the core values which are from Islam then beyond that they actually have made identities, they have many interests."
Only one of the site’s 26 content categories will involve religion. Above all, it will offer a place for Muslims to meet and interact. Other areas include shopping, a beach, and arena, which avatars can explore. The avatars will have several different meters that change as characters carry out tasks in the virtual world, as the emphasis is on the social.
The virtual world will be free, but some premium services will be offered. Those joining will receive virtual coins for clothing and room decoration, and it will be possible to buy more virtual currency for real cash, although no exchange rates have yet been established.
Muxlim Pal will receive its full launch early next year. So far it’s existed in testing for six months, and is changing and growing.
"This is nowhere near the vision of where it will be someday," said El-Fatatry. "It is very important to put things out and listen to how people interact with it. What feedback they give us and then that will play a big role in which direction we take the product in."
