The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) has urged all Muslims in the country to stop playing Pokemon Go as it has significant negative impact on its players, The New Straits Times reports.
Its director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapha told the daily that the department supports the decision made by the Federal Territories’ Islamic Legal Consultative Committee, who on August 1 claimed that the augmented reality game has harmful effects on Muslims.
“This decision is in line with the view of law in other Islamic countries proving Pokemon Go game causing harm leading to incidents that claimed lives.
“The game also has significant negative impact on children and teenagers,” Othman was quoted by the daily as saying.
READ: Pokemon Go lands businessman in trouble
Othman added that the recommendation to avoid the free-to-play game is consistent with the Saddu Al-Zara’i rule, which required prevention on things that are harmful to oneself.
On July 27, Penang Mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor has urged the government to declare Pokemon Go, which was finally released in Malaysia on Saturday, ‘haram’ with immediate effect.
Reader Interactions