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Saudi Arabia Reinstates Pokemon Fatwa

Revives edict against “deviant” game for Pokemon Go.

A 2001 religious edict banning Pokemon has been reinstated in Saudi Arabia as Pokemon Go gains popularity. Although the augmented-reality game is not officially available in Saudi Arabia, it’s still available there by illegal download, which prompted concern among the kingdom’s top clerical body. The edict rejects the game for what it describes as un-Islamic aspects, including symbols from “deviant” religions and polytheistic traits. It also claims the game promotes the theory of evolution, which goes against Islam. The Pokemon Go phenomenon, which sees players embark on a scavenger hunt in the real world to find virtual characters, has already unleashed chaos as players venture into no-trespassing zones and dangerous territories across the globe.