Forbes reports that Insomniac Game’s new Spider-Man video game is not only taking the world by storm but holds significant advancements in representation for the Muslim faith and customs.
This was first noticed by Reddit user u/mk4rim — playing the game, she was delighted by a scene where Spider-Man bumps into a Muslim woman wearing a hijab. In the scene, the woman is excited to see Spider-Man who goes in for a friendly hug. The woman hesitates, placing her hands on her chest, denying the hug which strikes the superhero as odd. The woman replies, “Is it okay- uh- uh- or maybe…can we just pretend we stood and hugged?”
Forbes explains the nuance of the scene for those not familiar with the custom. “In most Muslim circles it’s generally discouraged for a man or woman to touch someone of the opposite gender if they are outside one’s family. This would include handshakes, high fives, and yes, even hugs. Do all Muslims agree and follow this? Of course not. But there are many, many Muslims who do, and while this is likely an everyday aspect of a normal Muslim’s life, it’s a detail few others would know about. So imagine the delightful surprise of a young Muslim gamer when she comes upon this very interaction in the new game. Not only has Insomniac filled their New York with citizens as diverse as the real city, but they have gone out of their way to make sure those citizens behave realistically.”
