Pokémon Go declared forbidden and un-Islamic in Egypt as craze sweeps country

Since its launch Pokémon Go has been called many things- time wasting, dangerous and distracting for children.

But now a new charge has been levelled at it, un-Islamic.

Top clerics in Egypt are less than pleased with the craze and have declared it 'haraam'- forbidden in Arabic, Gulf News reports .

Abbas Shuman, deputy head of Al Azhar-Egypt's top Islamic institution- compared the game to alcohol, which is also forbidden in Islam.

“This game makes people look like drunkards in the streets and on the roads while their eyes are glued to the mobile screens leading them to the location of the imaginary Pokemon in the hope of catching it,” He said.

"Will we find some lunatics walk into mosques, churches, prisons and military units in search of the missing [Pokemon]?”

“Will people neglect their work and earning their living and devote themselves instead to hunting for Pokemon?”

Source.

Maybe he's onto something.

Any country against Pokemon GO is a country against freedom. Nothing but straight dictatorship. Add them to the list. Eygpts people must rebel and fight for it themselves. We can help, but they must take the first step. If you cant have Pokemon GO, then what really can you have. Thats right, nothing. No freedom, no peace.

This Pokémon Go has gone completely nonsense really fast. This nails it.

“Will people neglect their work and earning their living and devote themselves instead to hunting for Pokemon?”

This just helps employers weed out the lazy.

@CommandoAgent: Yes, dudes are gonna devote themselves to a phone game and not work to pay their phone bill. Yes, Egypts people are that dumb. They are easily brainwashed thanks to the propaganda from their governments.

Good to see the Egyptian government is tackling it;s biggest problems. But no thanks, I will stay in America where I can **** that girl and smoke weed....

@magicalclick: Thats up to their people, not us. But it can easily happen, China did it for World of Warcraft. And now they are much better off.

Egypt is a secular state. Religious clerics hold no political power in that country. It's just a few clerics outraged by Pokemon Go (like many others around the world) and giving their opinions on it.

@Jag85: Ooo, so they cant ban it. This is a poor headline then, i thought Egypt was calling for a ban. Egypt is cool, enjoy that Pokemon GO, go Team Mystic!

@magicalclick: If innocent people are dying, we can give them food, clothing, and shelter.

That has already happened to one guy.

Poorly-written sensational headlines are the norm for British tabloids. Saying "Pokemon Go forbidden in Egypt" generates a lot more controversy (and money) than saying "Egyptian cleric condemns Pokemon Go".

@magicalclick: Well i cant change their life, thats up to them, i can only help them make change by supporting them with goods to help in their struggle.

@Jag85: Yeah, i have to be move careful walking into them. Good looking out though, very helpful info.

@magicalclick: Thats up to them to decide. Freedom is their choice.

@magicalclick: Again, i dont know what your talking about, thats up to their people.

Bullshit religion.

@magicalclick: Yes, some will have to compromise. Just like everyone else in the world.

There was a similar uproar about Harry Potter in The States for being unchristian because of the portrayal of sorcery.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"