Iranian new software helps users visit holy Islamic sites

New simulation software unveiled by Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance helps users visit holy Islamic sites from their personal computer at home.The software provides users with simulations of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Masjid Al-Nabawi in Medina and the Askariya Shrine in Iraq.The software is part of a larger project that aims to simulate shrines of all Shia Imams and holy Islamic sites.Many countries have requested to buy the software which is part of a series of 12 software that will include all our major religious figures, said Iran’s Deputy Culture Minister Hassan Alizadeh.For our first simulation project which was that of Imam Reza (PBUH) shrine in Mashhad, we used nearly 80,000 photos and spent more than three years to complete the work, said project manager Majid Esmaili.Officials say the Askariya Shrine software is already available on the Iranian market and the other two simulation software will hit the market in near future.Experts believe recreating these holy sites in cyber space can help pilgrims who cannot visit them in person. It also helps Muslims to remember the 2006 bombings of the Askariya Shrine and not to let future generations forget the sacrilegious act. /129