Saudi Arabia won’t be seeing the release of Pokémon Go anytime soon. The wildly popular mobile app has prompted the nation’s prominent clerics to renew a longstanding religious edict, or fatwa, against the Pokémon franchise.
Although Pokémon Go debuted just two weeks ago, Saudi Arabia’s Council of Senior Scholars claimed Pokémon games promoted polytheism, natural evolution and religious iconography from Christian and Shinto traditions way back in 2001.
The edict also notes a six-pointed star in the game can be linked to the state of Israel, while certain triangular symbols featured throughout the franchise’s imagery hold significance for Freemasons. Furthermore, the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph cites concerns amongst clerics that parents could use the game to “punish and reward children,” while adults could potentially “gamble away money playing the game.”
The Telegraph points out Pokémon Go has become quite popular in the Middle East already, though the app has not seen an official release in the region.
Live outside Saudi Arabia and need help playing Pokémon Go? We’ve got you covered. Check out some of our guides below:
- ‘Pokémon Go’ Free Data: How To Redeem The T-Mobile Tuesdays Deal
- ‘Pokémon Go’: How To Request A PokeStop Or Gym Near You
- 'Pokémon Go' Level Guide: Pokéballs, Item Unlocks And XP Requirements For Levels Up To 30
- 'Pokémon Go' Myths Busted: Eevee Evolutions, Graveyard Ghosts And More
- ‘Pokémon Go’ Catching Tips: Tracking Pokémon Actually Works With The In-Game Tracker (Sometimes)
- ‘Pokémon Go’ Battle Guide: Type Advantages, Evolution, Movesets And More
