March 26, 2001. Copyright 2001. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

Saudi Arabia bans childrenÕs game, PokŽmon

LONDON, March 26, Graphic News: Saudi Arabia has banned Pokemon cards, saying they show symbols associated with Israel, are too similar to gambling, and are harmful to kids.

Saudi ArabiaÕs highest religious authority -- the Higher Committee for Scientific Research and Islamic Law -- has declared a Òfatwa,Ó or religious ruling, against the cute little characters JapanÕs Nintendo has made into a multibillion dollar enterprise that is enormously popular around the world.

The fatwa said Pokemon games and cards have Òpossessed the mindsÓ of Saudi children, and  include Òthe Star of David, which everyone knows is connected to international Zionism and is IsraelÕs national emblem.Ó

ÒA number of parents have been involved in the game and spare no expense to support their children and use the game to reward or punish them,Ó said the edict.

Khaled Ismail, an Egyptian living and working in Saudi Arabia, told the Associated Press that he set aside more than $130 every month to buy Pokemon merchandise for his four children.

But ÒI long suspected the game had symbols and logos that were contrary to Islam,Ó he said.

Because of severe punishments for violators, which would include lashings, revoking of a trade licence, stiff fines and deportation, the Saudi edict is expected to be strictly followed.

Many Saudi shops and restaurants had used Pokemon merchandise to market their products, ranging from meals for children to toys.

In Tokyo, a Nintendo spokesman denied that religious symbols are depicted on Pokemon items and said Nintendo did not design them with religious symbols in mind. Pokemon cards typically have a brightly coloured picture of a character along with geometric symbols corresponding to its fanciful powers.
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Source: Associated Press