Saudi Arabia Bans Pokemon

Claiming that Pokemon promotes Zionism (the support of Jewish occupation of Israel), involves gambling and has “possessed the minds of children,” Saudi Arabia’s Higher Committee for Scientific Research and Islamic Law, this weekend, banned all Pokemon cards and games from the country. Arguments against Pokemon cited that the cards features symbols such as the Star of David, Christian crosses, and symbols of Japanese shintoism, all of which represent religions and beliefs contradictory to those of Islam. Nintendo has denied that any religious symbols appear on Pokemon merchandise. The Islamic judgement also argued that Pokemon has brainwashed children into buying more and more Pokemon cards to compete against other children “to win more.” Gambling is strictly prohibited by Islamic law.

Source: Yahoo News