Via MEMRI: You Pokémon Go players may not realize it, but you're participating in a game that promotes the idea of evolution, and you're a spy because everything on your camera goes directly to the global servers.
Dr. Khlifa Al-Makhrazi, head of the Family Consultative Council in Dubai, speaking on Sky News Arabia TV, discussed the new Pokémon Go rage. Dr. Al-Makhrazi declared that playing this game is prohibited, in keeping with a recent fatwa by Al-Azhar and by "some jurisprudents." He further explained that Pokémon Go is "genuinely and directly" linked to Darwinism and to the theory of evolution. He concluded by saying that anybody playing the game is a spy. The interview aired on July 14.
Transcript:
Dr. Khalifa Al-Makhrazi:
"For us Muslims, living in an Arab and Muslim society – what is the ruling of playing this game (Pokémon Go)? Well, there is a clear and official fatwa from Al-Azhar prohibiting this game. Some jurisprudents have also rules that this game is prohibited. One might ask: 'This is just a game. It's fun. Why is it prohibited?'
It is prohibited because it is connected to things we are not aware of. It is connected to one's faith. This game is genuinely and directly linked to Charles Darwin's doctrine of Darwinism, to the theory of evolution and to the transmutation of the species, where a weak species transforms into a superior species. In our religion, this doctrine is forbidden. Therefore, Al-Azhar issues a clear fatwa prohibiting playing this game.
These jihadists have their religious priorities straight. |
[...]
"I take full responsibility for what I am saying. Any person playing this game is a spy, because the pictures he takes go straight to the global servers. All the places, all the streets and even inside the homes all the way to the bedrooms – the pictures go straight to the global servers, where they are saved, in order to expose all that is private. This game is the number one modern spying tool worldwide. A person unknowingly turns into a spy by playing this game."
No word yet from the pope, but presumably he's OK with the game. |
Saudi Arabia issues fatwa against playing Pokemon Go: Edict first issued in 2001 when Pokemon was played with cards is renewed with warnings the game contains devious and forbidden images:
First issued in 2001 when the game was played with cards, the decree says Pokemon violates Islamic prohibitions against gambling, uses devious Masonic-like symbols and promotes “forbidden images.”
...
The edict notes that a six-pointed star in the game, for example, is associated with the state of Israel and that certain triangular symbols hold important meanings for the Freemasonry. Crosses in the game are a symbol of Christianity, while other symbols are associated with polytheism, says the edict.