Saudi religious body bans Pokemon

The highest religious authority in Saudi Arabia has banned the popular children's game of Pokemon on religious and moral grounds, accusing it of being a bad influence.

The objections against Pokemon -- cited in a fatwa issued by a committee headed by the mufti of Saudi Arabia -- include the belief that aspects of the game resemble gambling and that it features religious symbols including the Israeli 'Star of David'. Also, it's alleged that the concept of the characters is based on Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution, which is rejected by Muslim conservatives. The Pokemon phenomenon originated in Japan three years ago as a video game which expanded into cartoons, comic books and trading cards.

A spokesman in Tokyo denied that religious symbols are depicted on Pokemon items.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service