Jihad Watch recently reported on the Muslim cleric who condemned Pokemon Go as un-Islamic. Abbas Shuman, deputy head of the Al-Azhar Islamic institution, referred to the game as “a ‘harmful mania’ which was similar to drinking alcohol.”
Now, Saudi Arabia has revived a 15-year-old fatwa to prohibit Pokeman “in response to public calls for guidance on the newly launched smartphone version of the game”, Pokeman Go.
The kingdom’s Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta determined that gambling and evolution is promoted in the game, which is rejected by Islam. But beyond this, Saudi Arabia’s top clerical body determined that “most cards on the game carried symbols of ‘deviant’ religions and organisations, such as ‘international Zionism’ and Israel, Christian crosses, Freemasonry, and symbols from Japan’s native Shinto religion.”
Note how Saudi Arabia really views Zionism, Israel and Christianity, despite its impassioned plea for “dialogue among Muslims, Christians and Jews,” even calling Christians and Jews “brothers,” and its sponsorship of interfaith initiatives in the West.
“Saudi revives 15-year-old anti-Pokemon fatwa”, Breitbart, July 20, 2016:
Riyadh (AFP) – Saudi Arabia’s top clerical body has revived a 2001 religious edict prohibiting Pokemon in response to public calls for guidance on the newly launched smartphone version of the game.
The augmented-reality game Pokemon Go, which is based on a 1996 Nintendo game, has created a global frenzy as players roam the real world looking for cartoon monsters.
Despite Pokemon Go not yet being officially available in ulta-conservative Saudi Arabia, many have downloaded it illegally and have started hunting for virtual “pocket monsters”.
The kingdom’s Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta said in its latest announcement on its website that it has republished a 2001 edict on the game after “receiving many questions” on it from the public.
The 15-year-old fatwa said the game was too much like gambling and that the concept of its characters appeared to be based on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, which is rejected by Islam.
It also said most cards on the game carried symbols of “deviant” religions and organisations, such as “international Zionism” and Israel, Christian crosses, Freemasonry, and symbols from Japan’s native Shinto religion.
The Pokemon game was un-Islamic as it contains polytheism, said the edict, without specifically referring to the popular smartphone app…

miriamrove says
You can’t be any more back ward than this. They are pathetic. m
Infidel from Down Under says
It would be a good laugh if a few of the Pokemon cartoon monsters were to turn up in Mecca especially during the Haj which is only about six weeks away
August Wests says
Mr Spencer thanks for pointing this out.
But I thought your lead in would say something like…
Pokémon is clearly unislamic per the fatwa. Where is the fatwa declaring the Islamic State and Abu Bakr al-Bagdadi to be unislamic.
Fatwa clearly says Pokémon is unislamic. Evidently Islamic State is Islamic after all.
August West says
I would like to add that one of your short Intro to Islam videos on Fatwas might be helpful.
Robert Spencer says
Thanks, but I did not write this piece, Christine Williams did.
August West says
Yes I am sorry I noted that Ms Williams was the author about 3 nanoseconds after I submitted the note.
Anyway the fact remains that Islam never ceases to amaze.
With all that is happening in the world in the name is Islam the Islamic aurhorities, such as they are, remain primarily concerned with Pokemon.
That tells us all we need to know – again.
Angemon says
Another shining example of how not to act straight out f the devil’s ass…
Champ says
The only “harmful mania” that I see is islam …
Mockingjay says
Good one, Champ!
gravenimage says
So true, Champ.
Guest says
I knew the ugly Muslims would ban something beautiful like Pokemon!
Guest says
And Pokemon isn’t a cartoon it’s an anime!
abad says
So, who exactly is forcing Saudi Arabia to accept and play Pokemon Go?????
That’s what I thought.
No one.
gravenimage says
Exactly. But this is never enough for pious Muslims–they cannot simply decide something is not their cup of tea, and leave it to people who think it is fun.
To paraphrase, for Muslims everything not compulsory is forbidden.
Mazo says
Saudis download the game on their phones.
gravenimage says
Now the appalling Mazo is pretending that since some Muslims are lax that this insanity is not a problem.
What about all the Jihadists who drink and watch porn? None of this prevents Muslims from waging violent Jihad and imposing Shari’ah.
Westman says
“..in response to public calls for guidance on the newly launched smartphone version of the game”… The public calls for guidance for a game?? Is it any wonder Islamic countries produce nothing innovative?
In Christianity or secular life of the West, we are taught correct principles and expected to govern ourselves, using the golden rule as a guideline.
In Islam it appears that if there isn’t a prohibition, then they must have a rule or it’s fair game; or worse, if it’s considered moral in some Islamic ruling, yet is obviously reprehensible to the world at large, like sex slavery or killing apostates, they will allow it. Truly it’s a slave morality controlled by the master clerics of fear.
gravenimage says
Saudi Arabia revives a 15-year-old anti-Pokemon fatwa
……………………
What a bunch of mickey mouse wankers…
Issa says
Are Kuffar Pokemons free to roam around Mekka then?
gravenimage says
The witless Issa wrote:
Are Kuffar Pokemons free to roam around Mekka then?
………………………….
Does Issa fail to understand that Pokemons are imaginary?
But then, people who believe in Jinns cannot be expected to grasp this…
David says
I’m sort of lost to find any rational explaination for the actions of these people.
But, I’ve narrowed it down to only two possible explanations.
(1.) INSANITY
or
(2.) Demonic possession.
Does anyone have a third?
gravenimage says
Islam.
heidi says
all u have to remember is that it has nothing to do with islam which all the leftists assure us is a religion of peace. nothing to see here, just keep moving folks!
mike ryan says
This is just more verification of the truth that the mean IQ in the Muslim world is 81.
duh swami says
Saudi Arabia revives a 15-year-old anti-Pokemon fatwa
They will have to dig deeper than that when I bring back the hula hoop…
heidi says
pokemon go-commit-jihad on the other hand–now there’s a game!
David says
Tell me again. Just what exactly is a “fartwah” anyway??????
It seems to have nothing to do with
R E A L I T Y ! ! !
War Isnecessary says
I remember the fatwa from 2001. I was in school, in Algeria. Everybody had pokemon stickers and pokemon collectibles and pokemon cards etc, and everybody watched the animated series.
All of a sudden, I see kids in my class removing all their pokemon stickers and tearing them down saying it’s ‘haram.’
I laughed then. Now I am angry.