‘Pokemon Go’… or don’t go? — Bernard M

AUGUST 6 — Pokemon Go has generated storms of customers and subscribers all around the world with its augmented reality Pokemon-catching system which manages to harmoniously allow users to stick to their precious smartphones while at the same encourage them to leave their chairs and sometimes even homes just to catch that Charizard that they have always wanted.

Today, the calls of many Malaysians were heeded when Pokemon Go was finally launched in Malaysia prompting many to set out on their journeys to “catch em all” and to be the very best.

While the hype for Pokemon Go in Malaysia was real, our Federal Territories Islamic Legal Consultative Committee was also getting busy generating a hype of their own by declaring the game as “haram” (forbidden) for Malaysian Muslims. Apparently a meeting was even held to discuss the matter on August 1. All factors aside, the effort to conduct a meeting should be given a round of applause, as for the topic that was discussed, not so much.

Federal Territories Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri said that “after studying the opinions of religious scholars and the fatwa (edict) issued, we agreed that the edict has a basis and that Pokemon Go and all the Pokemon characters should be avoided as it can bring harm.”

“The game promoted a search for power and deities with certain powers which could lead to gambling,” he added.

After doing some research, I am unable to say for sure what the mufti meant when he claimed that the Pokemon characters can bring harm and at the same time encourage gambling as most reports didn’t include further elaboration on his claims. Maybe the augmented reality Charizard could use “flamethrower” and spit fire into reality or Meowth may drop you some cash by using “pay day.”

Since the launch a Pokemon Go in western countries, numerous cases of breach of private property, road accidents, as well as people falling for “Poke-stop” traps set by criminals during the night have been reported. But at the same time it must be said that this is mostly the fault of the users instead of the game as the users were clearly aware of their choices and consequences.

This is like reliving the whole “Ultraman issue” that happened way back in 2014. The government decided to ban Ultraman comic books as they claim it can damage the faith and confuse the Muslim children who idolise him. The basis of this statement is because Ultraman was allegedly equated to Allah in the comics. I too watched Ultraman when I was a kid, and I can ascertain that I was more worried about the red blinking light on Ultraman’s chest whenever he was running out of power instead of getting confused about my faith.

Coming back to the issue on hand, this “selective attention” attitude of the Federal Territories Islamic Legal Consultative Committee needs to stop. Why focus your attention towards a petty game when more pressing issues such as the sales of tobacco products and widespread corruption which can bring real harm are allowed to exist? Aren’t those forbidden as well? Maybe a meeting could be held on that matter.

If the muftis are going to practise their “penyakit nak jadi Tuhan” (God complex), they might as well apply it on more serious issues as stated above. At least with that they are actually doing something to help Malaysia and its citizens to achieve a better tomorrow. 

*This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.

from Malay Mail Online | All http://ift.tt/2aYpcG6

Today updated news promoted by Mukah Pages