AhlulBayt News Agency: The Digital Media Center (DMC) has issued a strong warning regarding a recent case of digital manipulation on Google Maps, where offensive and inappropriate edits were made to the address of the shrine of Hazrat Zainab (PBUH) in Damascus, Syria.
The center condemned the incident as a grave violation that threatens social harmony and religious sensitivities.
In an official statement, the DMC described the act as a “dangerous and deliberate distortion” that undermines ethical standards on global digital platforms and could incite sectarian tensions in an already volatile regional environment.
“This manipulation not only violates professional and moral norms but also carries serious risks in the current geopolitical context. Such actions have the potential to spark unrest and deepen divisions among communities,” the statement read.
The center placed full moral and legal responsibility on Google, urging the tech giant to immediately remove the offensive content and implement robust safeguards to prevent future violations—especially those targeting religious symbols and sacred sites.
The DMC also called on Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) to take urgent action by:
- Launching a formal investigation into the matter;
- Contacting Google directly to demand accountability;
- Considering temporary restrictions on Google’s services in Iraq, similar to the regulatory measures adopted by countries such as Russia and China in response to sensitive content violations.
The statement further emphasized that religious sanctities are not subject to casual user-generated edits or interpretation, and digital platforms must treat such landmarks as essential to regional digital and social stability.
“Religious shrines like that of Hazrat Zainab (PBUH) are not just historical locations—they are spiritual and cultural pillars. Their misrepresentation online is not only offensive, but a threat to peace and coexistence.”
The DMC concluded by urging all tech companies operating in the region to adopt content policies that uphold respect for religious values, and by warning of consequences if such repeated infractions are not addressed with seriousness.
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