View source for Islam Q&A, Saudi Arabia vs. Pokèmon

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||[[File:PokeGymMain.jpg|150px|thumb|center|<div style="text-align:left; word-spacing: -0.1em; letter-spacing: -0em; line-height:100%; width:100%; font-size:80%;">Pokemon is widely popular across the world, penetrating many cultures and markets. Everything from food beverages to aeroplanes have exhibited themes relating to Pokemon.</div>]]
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<small style="border:1px solid; padding:1px 3px; background:#ff0000; color:#FFFFFF; white-space:nowrap">Introduction:—</small> Pokemon is a children's video game franchise that was created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1990s (who is particularly notable for having been suspected<ref name="Luke Plunkett (May 30th, 2011).">Luke Plunkett (May 30th, 2011). ''[http://kotaku.com/5806664/how-pokemon-was-born-from-bug-collecting-and-aspergers-syndrome The Origins Of Pokémon]''. Kotaku. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170427202801/http://kotaku.com/5806664/how-pokemon-was-born-from-bug-collecting-and-aspergers-syndrome WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 27th, 2017.</ref> of having Asperger's Syndrome),<ref name="Griffin2014">Angel Griffin (8 December 2014). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5bm7BQAAQBAJ&pg=PT34&dq=pokemon+created+by+satoshi+tajiri+aspergers&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjU-KHiusXTAhXoIcAKHTzXB_wQ6AEIKzAB#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20created%20by%20satoshi%20tajiri%20aspergers&f=false An Exceptional Pupil: Teaching Aspergers and High-Functioning Autistic Children]''. Wheatmark, Inc. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-60494-840-0.</ref><ref name="Lawton2007">Suzanne C. Lawton (2007). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kBUcVzhadScC&pg=PA53&dq=pokemon+created+by+satoshi+tajiri+aspergers&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjU-KHiusXTAhXoIcAKHTzXB_wQ6AEIMTAC#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20created%20by%20satoshi%20tajiri%20aspergers&f=false Asperger Syndrome: Natural Steps Toward a Better Life]''. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-275-99178-4.</ref> which was first published by Nintendo in February 1996.<ref name="Allison2006"/><ref name="Organization2004">World Intellectual Property Organization (1 January 2004). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=LvRRvXBIi8MC&pg=PA71&dq=pokemon+was+released&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi5m5P87qPTAhWIDcAKHcEUDsEQ6AEILTAB#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20was%20released&f=false WIPO Guide on the Licensing of Copyright and Related Rights]''. WIPO. p. 71. ISBN 978-92-805-1271-7.</ref> It was a game that wasn't expected to do particularly well (only ''"reasonably"'') when it was released for the ''"Game Boy"'' handheld gaming device.<ref name="Allison2006"/> It was targeted at a demographic only consisting of young Japanese boys (8—14 years old),<ref name="Allison2006"/> but has since exploded in popularity across all demographics, ethnicities, nationalities and gaming platforms. Nintendo initially capitalised on the success of Pokemon by expanding it into other areas, such as manga,<ref name="Allison2006"/> and eventually anime and film,<ref name="Organization2004"/><ref name="Segers2008">Rien T. Segers (13 March 2008). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=A0p9AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA127&dq=pokemon+film+popularity&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiClNC_ycXTAhUDVxQKHaT5Ch4Q6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20film%20popularity&f=false A New Japan for the Twenty-First Century: An Inside Overview of Current Fundamental Changes and Problems. Routledge]''. p. 127. ISBN 978-1-134-05408-4.</ref> which saw the game's popularity spiral out of control. A key component of the game is in fighting Pokemon one-on-one in gyms across the fantasy world of the series,<ref name="Kohler2016">Chris Kohler (10 October 2016). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VuA7DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA229&dq=pokemon+one+on+one+battle&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjh9frev8XTAhUlB8AKHZ4ZC0MQ6AEINzAE#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20one%20on%20one%20battle&f=false Power-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life]''. Courier Dover Publications. p. 229. ISBN 978-0-486-81642-5.</ref><ref name="GamerGuides.com2015">GamerGuides.com (22 October 2015). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=SYLJCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT15&dq=pokemon+one+on+one+battle&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjh9frev8XTAhUlB8AKHZ4ZC0MQ6AEILzAC#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20one%20on%20one%20battle&f=false Pokémon X & Y - Strategy Guide]''. Gamer Guides. pp. 15–. ISBN 978-1-62776-765-1.</ref> earning badges and winning championships.<ref name="ChorianopoulosDivitini2015">Konstantinos Chorianopoulos; Monica Divitini; Jannicke Baalsrud Hauge; Letizia Jaccheri, Rainer Malaka (24 September 2015). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=vBWcCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA183&dq=pokemon+winning+badges&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi5sJSIw8XTAhWmCcAKHU3ZBTkQ6AEIODAD#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20winning%20badges&f=false Entertainment Computing - ICEC 2015: 14th International Conference, ICEC 2015, Trondheim, Norway, September 29 - Ocotober 2, 2015, Proceedings]''. Springer. p. 183. ISBN 978-3-319-24589-8.</ref> The series is also about training different species in order to make them stronger, and most of all consists of friendship between man and animal, as well as obtaining strength from rapid evolution,<ref name="HollingerRatkos1999">Elizabeth M. Hollinger; James Ratkos (1999). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=JxroXYQxwgIC&q=Pokemon+evolution&dq=Pokemon+evolution&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiysbnow8XTAhXBBcAKHaZEDywQ6AEIUzAJ Pokemon Yellow: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]''. Prima Games. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-7615-2277-5.</ref> which has been particularly irksome for some religious authorities,<ref name="Publishing2011">Britannica Educational Publishing (1 November 2011). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=OdubAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA103&dq=pokemon+evolution+controversy&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwicvo7vxcXTAhVMFMAKHUDZD64Q6AEILTAB#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20evolution%20controversy&f=false Gaming: From Atari to Xbox]''. Britannica Educational Publishing. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-61530-736-4.</ref> including those of Islam. Although evolution is not entirely at odds with the Islamic faith,<ref name="Al-Jayyousi2016">Odeh Rashed Al-Jayyousi (6 May 2016). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=V0sfDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA180&dq=evolution+does+not+contradict+islam&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGtYjbxsXTAhVhIMAKHYurC70Q6AEINzAD#v=onepage&q=evolution%20does%20not%20contradict%20islam&f=false Islam and Sustainable Development: New Worldviews]''. Routledge. p. 180. ISBN 978-1-317-11251-8.</ref><ref name="Hemaya2012">Ahmad M. Hemaya (30 December 2012). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=_W0IBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA47&dq=evolution+does+not+contradict+islam&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGtYjbxsXTAhVhIMAKHYurC70Q6AEILTAB#v=onepage&q=evolution%20does%20not%20contradict%20islam&f=false Islam: A Profound Insight]''. Tranquil Soul. p. 47. ISBN 978-977-449-066-8.</ref> some Islamic scholars have deemed Pokemon ''"haram"'' (forbidden), but interestingly Muslims have responded by ridiculing and parodying such claims.<ref name="Alani Azul (August 3rd, 2016).">Alani Azul (August 3rd, 2016). ''[https://vulcanpost.com/584194/why-pokemon-go-haram/ The FT Islamic Committee Wants Pokémon GO Banned—And I Completely Agree]''. Vulcan Post. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/https://vulcanpost.com/584194/why-pokemon-go-haram/ WayBackMachine Link]''. ''[http://archive.is/u52D3 Archive.is Link]''. Retrieved April 4th, 2017.</ref>
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<small style="border:1px solid; padding:1px 3px; background:#ff0000; color:#FFFFFF; white-space:nowrap">Economic Impact:—</small> Pokemon is a cultural and economic juggernaut, worth between $25—30 billion dollars in total.<ref name="WatanabeMcConnell2015">Yasushi Watanabe; David L McConnell (28 January 2015). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=jWtsBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT212&dq=pokemon+billion&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjoyuPh_8bTAhWsI8AKHcq9C8UQ6AEILDAB#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20billion&f=false Soft Power Superpowers]''. Taylor & Francis. pp. 212–213. ISBN 978-1-317-45964-4.</ref><ref name="Gunelius2008">S. Gunelius (3 June 2008). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=abYKXvCwEToC&pg=PA84&dq=pokemon+billion&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjK0OqngMfTAhViKMAKHQdoBWw4ChDoAQhZMAk#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20billion&f=false Harry Potter: The Story of a Global Business Phenomenon]''. Palgrave Macmillan UK. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-230-59410-4.</ref><ref name="StrasburgerWilson2013">Victor C. Strasburger; Barbara J. Wilson; Amy B. Jordan (14 March 2013). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=WccgAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT123&dq=pokemon+billion+trading+cards&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj8ypSsicfTAhWBJMAKHUWYBhQQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20billion%20trading%20cards&f=false Children, Adolescents, and the Media]''. SAGE Publications. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-4833-1588-1.</ref> Initial sales from between 1998 and 2003 amounted to a staggering $15 billion dollars.<ref name="Allison2006">Anne Allison (30 June 2006). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=BWPERdH-WVoC&pg=PT422&dq=pokemon+billion&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjoyuPh_8bTAhWsI8AKHcq9C8UQ6AEIWTAJ#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20billion&f=false Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination]''. University of California Press. p. 422. ISBN 978-0-520-93899-1.</ref> In June 2000, approximately 65 million games had been sold, and 4.2 billion trading cards.<ref name="Iwabuchi2002">Koichi Iwabuchi (18 October 2002). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dFHTDV6Mq10C&pg=PA30&dq=pokemon+billion&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwib4820gMfTAhWIB8AKHbLFBFg4FBDoAQhDMAY#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20billion&f=false Recentering Globalization: Popular Culture and Japanese Transnationalism]''. Duke University Press. p. 30. ISBN 0-8223-8408-6.</ref> In order to give a sense of the scale of Pokemon's success, during it's first year of release it generated an income of $5 billion dollars, more than the entire US games industry at the time.<ref name="Tobin2004">Joseph Tobin (5 February 2004). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=U7hthImoc5AC&pg=PA13&dq=pokemon+billion&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjoyuPh_8bTAhWsI8AKHcq9C8UQ6AEITzAH#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20billion&f=false Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokémon]''. Duke University Press. p. 13. ISBN 0-8223-3287-6.</ref> The Pokemon anime itself was broadcast across 68 countries worldwide by 2003.<ref name="HoldenScrase2006">T.J.M. Holden; Timothy J. Scrase (27 September 2006). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=vgRRScQjomUC&pg=PA232&dq=pokemon+anime+countries&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiprsaChsfTAhXBBcAKHbvACwU4FBDoAQhDMAU#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20anime%20countries&f=false Medi@sia: Global Media/tion In and Out of Context]''. Routledge. p. 232. ISBN 978-1-134-19555-8.</ref> Many schools in the UK even outright banned Pokemon trading cards because children were so obsessed with them.<ref name="schoolban">''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/729766.stm Pokemon baby swap offer]''. 28 April, 2000. BBC News. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/_embed/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/729766.stm WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref> Pikachu, one of the main characters in the franchise is alone worth $825 million dollars in value,<ref name="Gunelius2008"/> with the rarest Pokemon card in existence a ''"Pikachu Illustrator Card"'', worth between $20,000—$50,000 dollars.<ref name="japanblog">''[http://blog.fromjapan.co.jp/en/anime/top-10-rarest-and-most-expensive-pokemon-cards-of-all-time.html Top 10 Rarest and Most Expensive Pokemon Cards Of All Time]''. Blog From Japan. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170428115808/http://blog.fromjapan.co.jp/en/anime/top-10-rarest-and-most-expensive-pokemon-cards-of-all-time.html WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref><ref name="Tom Pritchard (1 February 2017).">Tom Pritchard (1 February 2017). ''[http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/02/01/the-most-valuable-pokemon-cards-money-can-buy The Most Valuable Pokémon Cards Money Can Buy]''. Kotaku. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170428120845/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/02/01/the-most-valuable-pokemon-cards-money-can-buy WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref><ref name="Charlie Moore (March 3rd, 2016).">Charlie Moore (March 3rd, 2016). ''[https://www.completeset.com/stories/the-20-rarest-pokemon-cards-for-the-20th-anniversary The 20 Rarest Pokemon Cards For The 20th Anniversary]''. Complete Set. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/https://www.completeset.com/stories/the-20-rarest-pokemon-cards-for-the-20th-anniversary WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref> Approximately 155 million games have been sold across all plaforms in total during it's first 11 years on the market.<ref name="Gunelius2008"/> It has proven so popular that even a computer virus was created to specifically target children (the first of it's kind) which was discovered in 2000.<ref name="computervirus">''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/895598.stm Pokemon virus contained]''. 25 August, 2000. BBC News. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/_embed/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/895598.stm WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref> Gaming news site, ''"Polygon"'', also reported that over a quarter of a billion games (260 million), 21.5 billion trading cards, 800 anime episodes, and 17 feature length films have been released as of 2014.<ref name="Tracey Lien (August 18th, 2014).">Tracey Lien (August 18th, 2014). ''[http://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2014/8/18/6030089/Pokemon-sales-numbers How successful is Pokémon? Take a look at the numbers!]''. Polygon. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084419/http://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2014/8/18/6030089/Pokemon-sales-numbers WayBackMachine Link]''. Polygon. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref> When ''"Pokemon GO!"'' was launched in 2016, it added $23 billion dollars to the stock market capitalisation of Nintendo within 2 weeks (doubling it's stock price to $40 billion dollars total, beating Sony by $2 billion dollars).<ref name="GardGard2017">Elizabeth Townsend Gard; W Ronald Gard (12 January 2017). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=YvjiDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT8&dq=pokemon+economic+impact&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig8ofVkMfTAhXFJcAKHfv7DmQQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20economic%20impact&f=false Video Games and the Law]''. Taylor & Francis. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-351-80597-1.</ref>
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||[[File:Pokemon-yellow.jpg|90px|thumb|center|<div style="text-align:left; word-spacing: -0.1em; letter-spacing: -0em; line-height:100%; width:100%; font-size:80%;">Pikachu alone is worth $825 million dollars to the Japanese economy.</div>]]
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===How Have Ultra-Conservative Muslims and Everyday Muslims Responded?===
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||[[File:Streetpass-malaysia-pokemon-x-and-y-launch.jpg|120px|thumb|center|<div style="text-align:left; word-spacing: -0.1em; letter-spacing: -0em; line-height:100%; width:100%; font-size:80%;">Despite some fatwas wanting to ban Pokemon, Muslims have ignored it on the grounds of it's sheer ridiculousness.</div>]]
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<small style="border:1px solid; padding:1px 3px; background:#ff0000; color:#FFFFFF; white-space:nowrap">Fatwa:—</small>
In order to understand the ban around Pokemon in certain ultra-conservative Muslim circles, it is imperative to understand what a fatwa actually is. A fatwa in essence is not a judicial proclamation or ruling,<ref name="Mozaffari1998">Mehdi Mozaffari (1998). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=f8GPAAAAMAAJ&q=%22a+fatwa+is%22&dq=%22a+fatwa+is%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiO_8vm08fTAhVpL8AKHaAQDUc4FBDoAQgvMAI Fatwa: Violence & Discourtesy]''. Aarhus Univiversity Press. p. 16. ISBN 978-87-7288-776-0.</ref> but is in fact a singular opinion regarding a single interpretation of Islam from a certain individual (more of an ''Op-Ed'' rather than a ''Papal Bull''<ref name="Reza Aslan, Robert Siegel (July 28th, 2005).">Reza Aslan, Robert Siegel (July 28th, 2005). ''[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4775646 Role of the Fatwa in Modern Islam]''. NPR. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429132707/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4775646 WayBackMachine Link]''.  Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref>). It's origins can be traced back to the companions of Muhammad,<ref name="BryantPeck2009">Clifton D. Bryant; Dennis L. Peck (2009). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=LFOn7rpkVdQC&pg=PA450&dq=%22a+fatwa+is%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiC1vbK08fTAhVlKcAKHYnIBvsQ6AEIVTAI#v=onepage&q=%22a%20fatwa%20is%22&f=false Encyclopedia of Death & Human Experience: 1]''. SAGE. p. 450. ISBN 978-1-4129-5178-4.</ref> who required a systematic approach in order to reach consensus on religious matters. The fatwa has, in effect, been inferred to in the Qu'ran, specifically in verses 4:127 and 4:176.<ref name="Tucker2010">Spencer C. Tucker (8 October 2010). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=U05OvsOPeKMC&pg=PA450&dq=%22a+fatwa+is%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiC1vbK08fTAhVlKcAKHYnIBvsQ6AEISjAG#v=onepage&q=%22a%20fatwa%20is%22&f=false The Encyclopedia of Middle East Wars: The United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts (5 volumes): The United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts]''. ABC-CLIO. pp. 450. ISBN 978-1-85109-948-1.</ref> Overall, the fatwa began in the early phase of Islam as a way to seek knowledge about theology, philosophy, hadith, legal theories, religious duties and the Shar'iah.<ref name="Tucker2010"/> Anyone can issue a fatwa (such as the infamous Islam Q&A website which is actually banned in Saudi Arabia ''vis-a-vis'' another fatwa),<ref name="HeathMathur2010">Deana Heath; Chandana Mathur (22 December 2010). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3bcuCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA114&dq=anyone+can+issue+a+fatwa&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFuZ2u4MnTAhXLLMAKHQyDDs8Q6AEIOzAD#v=onepage&q=anyone%20can%20issue%20a%20fatwa&f=false Communalism and Globalization in South Asia and Its Diaspora]''. Routledge. p. 114. ISBN 978-1-136-86787-3.</ref> as it is by and large considered non-binding,<ref name="SheikhGatrad2008">Aziz Sheikh; Abdul Rashid Gatrad (2008). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mgwiloFTrKwC&pg=PA110&dq=%22fatwa+is+an+opinion%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitjPaJ48nTAhUpK8AKHSZFBgkQ6AEITjAH#v=onepage&q=%22fatwa%20is%20an%20opinion%22&f=false Caring for Muslim Patients]''. Radcliffe Publishing. p. 110. ISBN 978-1-85775-812-2.</ref> primarily because it is designed to respond to only one person; which can be contrasted to that of an Islamic court, where a ''qadi'' (judge) has to hear two sides of an argument before making a ruling.<ref name="Tucker2010"/> In the Islamic tradition, a Muslim scholar who issued a fatwa should have been knowledgeable in both the subject itself, and the legal framework surrounding Islam.<ref name="Tucker2010"/> This can actually explain why, that despite some fatwas hating branding Pokemon haram, it has never actually been purged from every Islamic society. For example ''"Pokemon GO!"'' alone is available in a lot of Muslim countries.<ref group="n.">Albania, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brunei, Egypt, Gambia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.
#Alina Bradford (24 January 2017). ''[https://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/pokemon-go-where-its-available-now-and-coming-soon/ Here are all the countries where Pokemon Go is available]''. CNET. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170428210355/https://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/pokemon-go-where-its-available-now-and-coming-soon/ WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref>
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<small style="border:1px solid; padding:1px 3px; background:#ff0000; color:#FFFFFF; white-space:nowrap">Islam Q&A:—</small> Islam Q&A is one of the most ultra-conservative Islamic websites in the world today (so conservative, it is banned in Saudi Arabia).<ref name="Abdullah Aydh (September 3rd, 2010).">Abdullah Aydh (September 3rd, 2010). ''[http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/09/03/118350.html السعودية تحجب موقع "الإسلام سؤال وجواب" للشيخ المنجد]''. Al-Arabiya. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/09/03/118350.html WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 30th, 2017.</ref><ref group="n.">The only time where it hasn't berated Pokemon is when someone had sent an email to IslamQ&A asking them what the word "Pokemon" meant.
#''[https://islamqa.info/en/21179 21179: Meaning of the word Pokemon]''. IslamQ&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130826000848/http://islamqa.info/en/21179 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 4th, 2017.
</ref> In one instance it claimed Pokemon shouldn't be watched, because ''"[i]t is based on the corrupt, atheist, Darwinian theory that is known as the theory of evolution"'', and ''"[t]he show propagat[ing] the theory of the survival of the fittest"'', which ''"includes symbols such as the six-pointed star that are known to be strongly connected to Zionism and Freemasonry"''.<ref name="islamqapokemontelevision">''[https://islamqa.info/en/225149 225149: Ruling on watching the cartoons known as Pokémon]''. IslamQ&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20150109233309/http://islamqa.info/en/225149 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 4th, 2017.</ref> In another it claimed the franchise ''"include[s] the beliefs of eastern and idolatrous religions"''.<ref name="islamqapokemonidolaterous">''[https://islamqa.info/en/71170 71170: Ruling on animated drawings (cartoons)]''. IslamQ&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20140405181131/http://islamqa.info/en/71170 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 4th, 2017.</ref>
In yet another ruling, it claimed ''"[Pokemon] includes symbols of atheist belief whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins"''.<ref name="islamqarulingplaying">''[https://islamqa.info/en/22069 22069: What is the ruling on playing Pokemon?]''. IslamQ&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20150111141052/http://islamqa.info/en/22069 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 4th, 2017.</ref> This same ruling also went on an unusual diatribe on trying to explain how the card game is actually played, claiming that it is a ''"form of gambling"'', where the cards ''"may also be redeemed for other things, such as some fast foods or tinned goods"''.<ref name="islamqarulingplaying"/> The site also claims music,<ref name="music">''[https://islamqa.info/en/5000 5000: Ruling on music, singing and dancing]''. July 2nd, 2000. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429181156/https://islamqa.info/en/5000 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> chess,<ref name="chess">''[https://islamqa.info/en/14095 14095: Ruling on playing chess]''. January 9th, 2002. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429180022/https://islamqa.info/en/14095 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> dice,<ref name="dice">''[https://islamqa.info/en/95409 95409: Ruling on playing backgammon]''. January 28th, 2007. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429175508/https://islamqa.info/en/95409 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> card games,<ref name="cardgames">''[https://islamqa.info/en/12567 12567: Ruling on playing cards without gambling]''. March 28th, 2009. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429175142/https://islamqa.info/en/12567 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> TV,<ref name="tv">''[https://islamqa.info/en/3633 3633: Ruling on watching TV]''. October 17th, 1999. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429172544/https://islamqa.info/en/3633 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> drawing,<ref name="drawing">''[https://islamqa.info/en/39806 39806: Ruling on drawing animate beings]''. April 18th, 2003. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429173548/https://islamqa.info/en/39806 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> photography,<ref name="photographs">''[https://islamqa.info/en/365 365: Ruling on photographs]''. May 16th, 1998. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429172816/https://islamqa.info/en/365 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> anime/animation,<ref name="anime">''[https://islamqa.info/en/71170 71170: Ruling on animated drawings (cartoons)]''. November 11th, 2009. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429173954/https://islamqa.info/en/71170 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> travelling,<ref name="travelling">''[https://islamqa.info/en/52845 52845: Ruling on travelling for fun (tourism)]''. July 5th, 1998. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429173031/https://islamqa.info/en/52845 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> phones,<ref name="KenneyMoosa2013">Jeffrey T. Kenney; Ebrahim Moosa (15 August 2013). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=8MaMAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT218&dq=%22islam+q%26a%22+banned+in+saudi+arabia&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjY-dbIjsrTAhWpI8AKHb5aB8IQ6AEIKTAA#v=onepage&q=%22islam%20q%26a%22%20banned%20in%20saudi%20arabia&f=false Islam in the Modern World]''. Routledge. p. 218. ISBN 978-1-135-00794-2.</ref> manga, sports,<ref name="sports">''[https://islamqa.info/en/75644 75644: What is the ruling on professional pursuit of football (soccer)?]''. December 16th, 2005. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429180646/https://islamqa.info/en/75644 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> and sexual fantasies in marriage,<ref name="sexualfantasies">''[https://islamqa.info/en/84066 84066: Ruling on sexual fantasies]''. February 4th, 2012. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429174539/https://islamqa.info/en/84066 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> are all "haram" too. However, cheating on your wife is apparently okay because ''"no evidence appears neither in the Qur’an nor sunnah requiring the permission of the first wife if her husband wishes to marry another wife"''.<ref name="marryingasecondwife">''[https://islamqa.info/en/61 61: Validity of marrying a second wife for mere love and without consent of first wife]''. June 15th, 1997. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170430001926/https://islamqa.info/en/61 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 30th, 2017.</ref> Evidently, their fatwas lack any common sense.
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||[[File:IL069.jpg|150px|thumb|center|<div style="text-align:left; word-spacing: -0.1em; letter-spacing: -0em; line-height:100%; width:100%; font-size:80%;">Pokemon, the original series.</div>]]
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||[[File:72dd748a-5613-11e6-98ca-49b1c9e3ed10 1280x720.jpg|150px|thumb|center|<div style="text-align:left; word-spacing: -0.1em; letter-spacing: -0em; line-height:100%; width:100%; font-size:80%;">Pokemon is a harmless game that has forged millions of childhoods across the globe, which some Muslim children are missing out on. The show has left children with amazing fun filled memories.</div>]]
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<small style="border:1px solid; padding:1px 3px; background:#ff0000; color:#FFFFFF; white-space:nowrap">Conclusion:—</small> Muslims have responded to such opinions with bemusement and bewilderment. For this very reason, marketing research textbooks have noted that such fatwas are unpredictable in determining outcomes when it comes to trading with Islamic countries.<ref name="Nestorović2016">Čedomir Nestorović (28 May 2016). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=LXJBDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA243&dq=is+pokemon+haram&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwicgMPN7cXTAhXHchQKHf-TCw4Q6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=is%20pokemon%20haram&f=false Islamic Marketing: Understanding the Socio-Economic, Cultural, and Politico-Legal Environment]''. Springer. p. 243. ISBN 978-3-319-32754-9.</ref> Muslims appear to follow fatwas which they already deem appropriate in the first place.<ref group="n.">This is because Muslims are entirely free within Islam to accept or reject a fatwa based on their own reasoning.
:Quote: ''"A fatwa may be authoritative for some Muslims but not others. The decision to accept or reject a fatwa is entirely up to each individual Muslim"''.
#Volker M. Heins; Kai Koddenbrock; Christine Unrau (5 February 2016). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fl-FCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA145&dq=muslims+pick+and+choose+fatwas&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqyqvU98XTAhUEwBQKHbTWDgkQ6AEINDAC#v=onepage&q=muslims%20pick%20and%20choose%20fatwas&f=false
 Humanitarianism and Challenges of Cooperation]''. Routledge. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-317-33221-3.</ref> This is the case when it comes to music for instance (which is an issue that is widely mired in controversy<ref name="PartridgeMoberg2017">Christopher Partridge; Marcus Moberg (6 April 2017). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=CMoODgAAQBAJ&pg=PA45&dq=music+haram+controversy&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiA3cTm88XTAhXHvhQKHWgvBYgQ6AEINTAD#v=onepage&q=music%20haram%20controversy&f=false The Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion and Popular Music]''. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-4742-3735-2.</ref>), and also of smoking,<ref name="Nestorović2016"/> however when it comes to consuming coca-cola, Muslims appear to care little as to what any fatwa will say.<ref name="Nestorović2016"/> An issue which further illustrates such attitudes is in Malaysia, where a popular comic was released for sale, but who's edition was then banned because it had something to do with ''"Allah"''; leading to a public outcry about the sheer ridiculousness of a ban, where it was then overturned.<ref name="Nestorović2016"/> Some Muslim writers have even called the bans a major intellectual blockage in the Muslim world.<ref name="Guessoum2010">Nidhal Guessoum (30 October 2010). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zaL3AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT252&dq=muslim+pokemon&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjs7YuP8cXTAhUEuRQKHX1bDyQQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=muslim%20pokemon&f=false Islam's Quantum Question: Reconciling Muslim Tradition and Modern Science]''. I.B.Tauris. p. 252. ISBN 978-0-85773-075-6.</ref> For instance, a Sheikh, Abdel Monem abu Zent, was an anti-Pokemon activist, who later admitted he didn't know anything about what he was protesting against.<ref name="Dozier2003">Rush W. Dozier (16 June 2003). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=q_mCtra-a5IC&q=muslim+pokemon&dq=muslim+pokemon&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjs7YuP8cXTAhUEuRQKHX1bDyQQ6AEISDAG Why We Hate]''. McGraw Hill Professional. p. 222. ISBN 978-0-8092-2479-1.</ref> Even Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, the highest Islamic authority in Saudi Arabia, didn't even bother researching anything about Pokemon, but instead banned it because it contained the ''"Star of David"'' symbol; thereby making himself look like an uneducated, paranoid, lazy nutcase (as ''"Pokemon"'' actually doesn't contain any such thing).<ref name="saudibanspokemon">''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1243307.stm Saudi Arabia bans Pokemon]''. 26 March, 2001. BBC News. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/_embed/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1243307.stm WayBackMachine Links]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref>
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[[File:PokeGymMain.jpg|1000px|thumb|center|<div style="text-align:left; word-spacing: -0.1em; letter-spacing: -0em; line-height:100%; width:100%; font-size:80%;">Pokemon is widely popular across the world, penetrating many cultures and markets. Everything from food beverages to aeroplanes have exhibited themes relating to Pokemon.</div>]]
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<small style="border:1px solid; padding:1px 3px; background:#ff0000; color:#FFFFFF; white-space:nowrap">Introduction:—</small> Pokemon is a children's video game franchise that was created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1990s (who is particularly notable for having been suspected<ref name="Luke Plunkett (May 30th, 2011).">Luke Plunkett (May 30th, 2011). ''[http://kotaku.com/5806664/how-pokemon-was-born-from-bug-collecting-and-aspergers-syndrome The Origins Of Pokémon]''. Kotaku. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170427202801/http://kotaku.com/5806664/how-pokemon-was-born-from-bug-collecting-and-aspergers-syndrome WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 27th, 2017.</ref> of having Asperger's Syndrome),<ref name="Griffin2014">Angel Griffin (8 December 2014). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5bm7BQAAQBAJ&pg=PT34&dq=pokemon+created+by+satoshi+tajiri+aspergers&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjU-KHiusXTAhXoIcAKHTzXB_wQ6AEIKzAB#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20created%20by%20satoshi%20tajiri%20aspergers&f=false An Exceptional Pupil: Teaching Aspergers and High-Functioning Autistic Children]''. Wheatmark, Inc. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-60494-840-0.</ref><ref name="Lawton2007">Suzanne C. Lawton (2007). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kBUcVzhadScC&pg=PA53&dq=pokemon+created+by+satoshi+tajiri+aspergers&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjU-KHiusXTAhXoIcAKHTzXB_wQ6AEIMTAC#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20created%20by%20satoshi%20tajiri%20aspergers&f=false Asperger Syndrome: Natural Steps Toward a Better Life]''. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-275-99178-4.</ref> which was first published by Nintendo in February 1996.<ref name="Allison2006"/><ref name="Organization2004">World Intellectual Property Organization (1 January 2004). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=LvRRvXBIi8MC&pg=PA71&dq=pokemon+was+released&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi5m5P87qPTAhWIDcAKHcEUDsEQ6AEILTAB#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20was%20released&f=false WIPO Guide on the Licensing of Copyright and Related Rights]''. WIPO. p. 71. ISBN 978-92-805-1271-7.</ref> It was a game that wasn't expected to do particularly well (only ''"reasonably"'') when it was released for the ''"Game Boy"'' handheld gaming device.<ref name="Allison2006"/> It was targeted at a demographic only consisting of young Japanese boys (8—14 years old),<ref name="Allison2006"/> but has since exploded in popularity across all demographics, ethnicities, nationalities and gaming platforms. Nintendo initially capitalised on the success of Pokemon by expanding it into other areas, such as manga,<ref name="Allison2006"/> and eventually anime and film,<ref name="Organization2004"/><ref name="Segers2008">Rien T. Segers (13 March 2008). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=A0p9AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA127&dq=pokemon+film+popularity&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiClNC_ycXTAhUDVxQKHaT5Ch4Q6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20film%20popularity&f=false A New Japan for the Twenty-First Century: An Inside Overview of Current Fundamental Changes and Problems. Routledge]''. p. 127. ISBN 978-1-134-05408-4.</ref> which saw the game's popularity spiral out of control. A key component of the game is in fighting Pokemon one-on-one in gyms across the fantasy world of the series,<ref name="Kohler2016">Chris Kohler (10 October 2016). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VuA7DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA229&dq=pokemon+one+on+one+battle&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjh9frev8XTAhUlB8AKHZ4ZC0MQ6AEINzAE#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20one%20on%20one%20battle&f=false Power-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life]''. Courier Dover Publications. p. 229. ISBN 978-0-486-81642-5.</ref><ref name="GamerGuides.com2015">GamerGuides.com (22 October 2015). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=SYLJCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT15&dq=pokemon+one+on+one+battle&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjh9frev8XTAhUlB8AKHZ4ZC0MQ6AEILzAC#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20one%20on%20one%20battle&f=false Pokémon X & Y - Strategy Guide]''. Gamer Guides. pp. 15–. ISBN 978-1-62776-765-1.</ref> earning badges and winning championships.<ref name="ChorianopoulosDivitini2015">Konstantinos Chorianopoulos; Monica Divitini; Jannicke Baalsrud Hauge; Letizia Jaccheri, Rainer Malaka (24 September 2015). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=vBWcCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA183&dq=pokemon+winning+badges&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi5sJSIw8XTAhWmCcAKHU3ZBTkQ6AEIODAD#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20winning%20badges&f=false Entertainment Computing - ICEC 2015: 14th International Conference, ICEC 2015, Trondheim, Norway, September 29 - Ocotober 2, 2015, Proceedings]''. Springer. p. 183. ISBN 978-3-319-24589-8.</ref> The series is also about training different species in order to make them stronger, and most of all consists of friendship between man and animal, as well as obtaining strength from rapid evolution,<ref name="HollingerRatkos1999">Elizabeth M. Hollinger; James Ratkos (1999). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=JxroXYQxwgIC&q=Pokemon+evolution&dq=Pokemon+evolution&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiysbnow8XTAhXBBcAKHaZEDywQ6AEIUzAJ Pokemon Yellow: Prima's Official Strategy Guide]''. Prima Games. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-7615-2277-5.</ref> which has been particularly irksome for some religious authorities,<ref name="Publishing2011"/> including those of Islam. Although evolution is not entirely at odds with the Islamic faith,<ref name="Al-Jayyousi2016">Odeh Rashed Al-Jayyousi (6 May 2016). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=V0sfDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA180&dq=evolution+does+not+contradict+islam&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGtYjbxsXTAhVhIMAKHYurC70Q6AEINzAD#v=onepage&q=evolution%20does%20not%20contradict%20islam&f=false Islam and Sustainable Development: New Worldviews]''. Routledge. p. 180. ISBN 978-1-317-11251-8.</ref><ref name="Hemaya2012">Ahmad M. Hemaya (30 December 2012). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=_W0IBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA47&dq=evolution+does+not+contradict+islam&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGtYjbxsXTAhVhIMAKHYurC70Q6AEILTAB#v=onepage&q=evolution%20does%20not%20contradict%20islam&f=false Islam: A Profound Insight]''. Tranquil Soul. p. 47. ISBN 978-977-449-066-8.</ref> some Islamic scholars have deemed Pokemon ''"haram"'' (forbidden), but interestingly Muslims have responded by ridiculing and parodying such claims.<ref name="Alani Azul (August 3rd, 2016).">Alani Azul (August 3rd, 2016). ''[https://vulcanpost.com/584194/why-pokemon-go-haram/ The FT Islamic Committee Wants Pokémon GO Banned—And I Completely Agree]''. Vulcan Post. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/https://vulcanpost.com/584194/why-pokemon-go-haram/ WayBackMachine Link]''. ''[http://archive.is/u52D3 Archive.is Link]''. Retrieved April 4th, 2017.</ref>
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[[File:Pokemon-yellow.jpg|1000px|thumb|center|<div style="text-align:left; word-spacing: -0.1em; letter-spacing: -0em; line-height:100%; width:100%; font-size:80%;">Pikachu alone is worth $825 million dollars to the Japanese economy.</div>]]
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<small style="border:1px solid; padding:1px 3px; background:#ff0000; color:#FFFFFF; white-space:nowrap">Economic Impact:—</small> Pokemon is a cultural and economic juggernaut, worth between $25—30 billion dollars in total.<ref name="WatanabeMcConnell2015">Yasushi Watanabe; David L McConnell (28 January 2015). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=jWtsBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT212&dq=pokemon+billion&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjoyuPh_8bTAhWsI8AKHcq9C8UQ6AEILDAB#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20billion&f=false Soft Power Superpowers]''. Taylor & Francis. pp. 212–213. ISBN 978-1-317-45964-4.</ref><ref name="Gunelius2008">S. Gunelius (3 June 2008). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=abYKXvCwEToC&pg=PA84&dq=pokemon+billion&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjK0OqngMfTAhViKMAKHQdoBWw4ChDoAQhZMAk#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20billion&f=false Harry Potter: The Story of a Global Business Phenomenon]''. Palgrave Macmillan UK. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-230-59410-4.</ref><ref name="StrasburgerWilson2013">Victor C. Strasburger; Barbara J. Wilson; Amy B. Jordan (14 March 2013). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=WccgAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT123&dq=pokemon+billion+trading+cards&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj8ypSsicfTAhWBJMAKHUWYBhQQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20billion%20trading%20cards&f=false Children, Adolescents, and the Media]''. SAGE Publications. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-4833-1588-1.</ref> Initial sales from between 1998 and 2003 amounted to a staggering $15 billion dollars.<ref name="Allison2006"/> In June 2000, approximately 65 million games had been sold, and 4.2 billion trading cards.<ref name="Iwabuchi2002">Koichi Iwabuchi (18 October 2002). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dFHTDV6Mq10C&pg=PA30&dq=pokemon+billion&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwib4820gMfTAhWIB8AKHbLFBFg4FBDoAQhDMAY#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20billion&f=false Recentering Globalization: Popular Culture and Japanese Transnationalism]''. Duke University Press. p. 30. ISBN 0-8223-8408-6.</ref> In order to give a sense of the scale of Pokemon's success, during it's first year of release it generated an income of $5 billion dollars, more than the entire US games industry at the time.<ref name="Tobin2004">Joseph Tobin (5 February 2004). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=U7hthImoc5AC&pg=PA13&dq=pokemon+billion&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjoyuPh_8bTAhWsI8AKHcq9C8UQ6AEITzAH#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20billion&f=false Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokémon]''. Duke University Press. p. 13. ISBN 0-8223-3287-6.</ref> The Pokemon anime itself was broadcast across 68 countries worldwide by 2003.<ref name="HoldenScrase2006">T.J.M. Holden; Timothy J. Scrase (27 September 2006). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=vgRRScQjomUC&pg=PA232&dq=pokemon+anime+countries&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiprsaChsfTAhXBBcAKHbvACwU4FBDoAQhDMAU#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20anime%20countries&f=false Medi@sia: Global Media/tion In and Out of Context]''. Routledge. p. 232. ISBN 978-1-134-19555-8.</ref> Many schools in the UK even outright banned Pokemon trading cards because children were so obsessed with them.<ref name="schoolban">''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/729766.stm Pokemon baby swap offer]''. 28 April, 2000. BBC News. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/_embed/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/729766.stm WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref> Pikachu, one of the main characters in the franchise is alone worth $825 million dollars in value,<ref name="Gunelius2008"/> with the rarest Pokemon card in existence a ''"Pikachu Illustrator Card"'', worth between $20,000—$50,000 dollars.<ref name="japanblog">''[http://blog.fromjapan.co.jp/en/anime/top-10-rarest-and-most-expensive-pokemon-cards-of-all-time.html Top 10 Rarest and Most Expensive Pokemon Cards Of All Time]''. Blog From Japan. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170428115808/http://blog.fromjapan.co.jp/en/anime/top-10-rarest-and-most-expensive-pokemon-cards-of-all-time.html WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref><ref name="Tom Pritchard (1 February 2017).">Tom Pritchard (1 February 2017). ''[http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/02/01/the-most-valuable-pokemon-cards-money-can-buy The Most Valuable Pokémon Cards Money Can Buy]''. Kotaku. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170428120845/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/02/01/the-most-valuable-pokemon-cards-money-can-buy WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref><ref name="Charlie Moore (March 3rd, 2016).">Charlie Moore (March 3rd, 2016). ''[https://www.completeset.com/stories/the-20-rarest-pokemon-cards-for-the-20th-anniversary The 20 Rarest Pokemon Cards For The 20th Anniversary]''. Complete Set. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/https://www.completeset.com/stories/the-20-rarest-pokemon-cards-for-the-20th-anniversary WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref> Approximately 155 million games have been sold across all plaforms in total during it's first 11 years on the market.<ref name="Gunelius2008"/> It has proven so popular that even a computer virus was created to specifically target children (the first of it's kind) which was discovered in 2000.<ref name="computervirus">''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/895598.stm Pokemon virus contained]''. 25 August, 2000. BBC News. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/_embed/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/895598.stm WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref> Gaming news site, ''"Polygon"'', also reported that over a quarter of a billion games (260 million), 21.5 billion trading cards, 800 anime episodes, and 17 feature length films have been released as of 2014.<ref name="Tracey Lien (August 18th, 2014).">Tracey Lien (August 18th, 2014). ''[http://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2014/8/18/6030089/Pokemon-sales-numbers How successful is Pokémon? Take a look at the numbers!]''. Polygon. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084419/http://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2014/8/18/6030089/Pokemon-sales-numbers WayBackMachine Link]''. Polygon. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref> When ''"Pokemon GO!"'' was launched in 2016, it added $23 billion dollars to the stock market capitalisation of Nintendo within 2 weeks (doubling it's stock price to $40 billion dollars total, beating Sony by $2 billion dollars).<ref name="GardGard2017">Elizabeth Townsend Gard; W Ronald Gard (12 January 2017). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=YvjiDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT8&dq=pokemon+economic+impact&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig8ofVkMfTAhXFJcAKHfv7DmQQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=pokemon%20economic%20impact&f=false Video Games and the Law]''. Taylor & Francis. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-351-80597-1.</ref>
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===How Have Ultra-Conservative Muslims and Everyday Muslims Responded?===
[[File:Streetpass-malaysia-pokemon-x-and-y-launch.jpg|1000px|thumb|center|<div style="text-align:left; word-spacing: -0.1em; letter-spacing: -0em; line-height:100%; width:100%; font-size:80%;">Despite some fatwas wanting to ban Pokemon, Muslims have ignored it on the grounds of it's sheer ridiculousness.</div>]]
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<small style="border:1px solid; padding:1px 3px; background:#ff0000; color:#FFFFFF; white-space:nowrap">Fatwa:—</small>
In order to understand the ban around Pokemon in certain ultra-conservative Muslim circles, it is imperative to understand what a fatwa actually is. A fatwa in essence is not a judicial proclamation or ruling,<ref name="Mozaffari1998">Mehdi Mozaffari (1998). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=f8GPAAAAMAAJ&q=%22a+fatwa+is%22&dq=%22a+fatwa+is%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiO_8vm08fTAhVpL8AKHaAQDUc4FBDoAQgvMAI Fatwa: Violence & Discourtesy]''. Aarhus Univiversity Press. p. 16. ISBN 978-87-7288-776-0.</ref> but is in fact a singular opinion regarding a single interpretation of Islam from a certain individual (more of an ''Op-Ed'' rather than a ''Papal Bull''<ref name="Reza Aslan, Robert Siegel (July 28th, 2005).">Reza Aslan, Robert Siegel (July 28th, 2005). ''[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4775646 Role of the Fatwa in Modern Islam]''. NPR. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429132707/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4775646 WayBackMachine Link]''.  Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref>). It's origins can be traced back to the companions of Muhammad,<ref name="BryantPeck2009">Clifton D. Bryant; Dennis L. Peck (2009). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=LFOn7rpkVdQC&pg=PA450&dq=%22a+fatwa+is%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiC1vbK08fTAhVlKcAKHYnIBvsQ6AEIVTAI#v=onepage&q=%22a%20fatwa%20is%22&f=false Encyclopedia of Death & Human Experience: 1]''. SAGE. p. 450. ISBN 978-1-4129-5178-4.</ref> who required a systematic approach in order to reach consensus on religious matters. The fatwa has, in effect, been inferred to in the Qu'ran, specifically in verses 4:127 and 4:176.<ref name="Tucker2010">Spencer C. Tucker (8 October 2010). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=U05OvsOPeKMC&pg=PA450&dq=%22a+fatwa+is%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiC1vbK08fTAhVlKcAKHYnIBvsQ6AEISjAG#v=onepage&q=%22a%20fatwa%20is%22&f=false The Encyclopedia of Middle East Wars: The United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts (5 volumes): The United States in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts]''. ABC-CLIO. pp. 450. ISBN 978-1-85109-948-1.</ref> Overall, the fatwa began in the early phase of Islam as a way to seek knowledge about theology, philosophy, hadith, legal theories, religious duties and the Shar'iah.<ref name="Tucker2010"/> Anyone can issue a fatwa (such as the infamous Islam Q&A website which is actually banned in Saudi Arabia ''vis-a-vis'' another fatwa),<ref name="HeathMathur2010">Deana Heath; Chandana Mathur (22 December 2010). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3bcuCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA114&dq=anyone+can+issue+a+fatwa&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFuZ2u4MnTAhXLLMAKHQyDDs8Q6AEIOzAD#v=onepage&q=anyone%20can%20issue%20a%20fatwa&f=false Communalism and Globalization in South Asia and Its Diaspora]''. Routledge. p. 114. ISBN 978-1-136-86787-3.</ref> as it is by and large considered non-binding,<ref name="SheikhGatrad2008">Aziz Sheikh; Abdul Rashid Gatrad (2008). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mgwiloFTrKwC&pg=PA110&dq=%22fatwa+is+an+opinion%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitjPaJ48nTAhUpK8AKHSZFBgkQ6AEITjAH#v=onepage&q=%22fatwa%20is%20an%20opinion%22&f=false Caring for Muslim Patients]''. Radcliffe Publishing. p. 110. ISBN 978-1-85775-812-2.</ref> primarily because it is designed to respond to only one person; which can be contrasted to that of an Islamic court, where a ''qadi'' (judge) has to hear two sides of an argument before making a ruling.<ref name="Tucker2010"/> In the Islamic tradition, a Muslim scholar who issued a fatwa should have been knowledgeable in both the subject itself, and the legal framework surrounding Islam.<ref name="Tucker2010"/> This can actually explain why, that despite some fatwas hating branding Pokemon haram, it has never actually been purged from every Islamic society. For example ''"Pokemon GO!"'' alone is available in a lot of Muslim countries.<ref group="n.">Albania, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brunei, Egypt, Gambia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.
#Alina Bradford (24 January 2017). ''[https://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/pokemon-go-where-its-available-now-and-coming-soon/ Here are all the countries where Pokemon Go is available]''. CNET. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170428210355/https://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/pokemon-go-where-its-available-now-and-coming-soon/ WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref>
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[[File:IL069.jpg|1000px|thumb|center|<div style="text-align:left; word-spacing: -0.1em; letter-spacing: -0em; line-height:100%; width:100%; font-size:80%;">Pokemon, the original series.</div>]]
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<small style="border:1px solid; padding:1px 3px; background:#ff0000; color:#FFFFFF; white-space:nowrap">Islam Q&A:—</small> Islam Q&A is one of the most ultra-conservative Islamic websites in the world today (so conservative, it is banned in Saudi Arabia).<ref name="Abdullah Aydh (September 3rd, 2010).">Abdullah Aydh (September 3rd, 2010). ''[http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/09/03/118350.html السعودية تحجب موقع "الإسلام سؤال وجواب" للشيخ المنجد]''. Al-Arabiya. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/09/03/118350.html WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 30th, 2017.</ref><ref group="n.">The only time where it hasn't berated Pokemon is when someone had sent an email to IslamQ&A asking them what the word "Pokemon" meant.
#''[https://islamqa.info/en/21179 21179: Meaning of the word Pokemon]''. IslamQ&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130826000848/http://islamqa.info/en/21179 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 4th, 2017.
</ref> In one instance it claimed Pokemon shouldn't be watched, because ''"[i]t is based on the corrupt, atheist, Darwinian theory that is known as the theory of evolution"'', and ''"[t]he show propagat[ing] the theory of the survival of the fittest"'', which ''"includes symbols such as the six-pointed star that are known to be strongly connected to Zionism and Freemasonry"''.<ref name="islamqapokemontelevision">''[https://islamqa.info/en/225149 225149: Ruling on watching the cartoons known as Pokémon]''. IslamQ&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20150109233309/http://islamqa.info/en/225149 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 4th, 2017.</ref> In another it claimed the franchise ''"include[s] the beliefs of eastern and idolatrous religions"''.<ref name="islamqapokemonidolaterous">''[https://islamqa.info/en/71170 71170: Ruling on animated drawings (cartoons)]''. IslamQ&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20140405181131/http://islamqa.info/en/71170 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 4th, 2017.</ref>
In yet another ruling, it claimed ''"[Pokemon] includes symbols of atheist belief whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins"''.<ref name="islamqarulingplaying">''[https://islamqa.info/en/22069 22069: What is the ruling on playing Pokemon?]''. IslamQ&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20150111141052/http://islamqa.info/en/22069 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 4th, 2017.</ref> This same ruling also went on an unusual diatribe on trying to explain how the card game is actually played, claiming that it is a ''"form of gambling"'', where the cards ''"may also be redeemed for other things, such as some fast foods or tinned goods"''.<ref name="islamqarulingplaying"/> The site also claims music,<ref name="music">''[https://islamqa.info/en/5000 5000: Ruling on music, singing and dancing]''. July 2nd, 2000. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429181156/https://islamqa.info/en/5000 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> chess,<ref name="chess">''[https://islamqa.info/en/14095 14095: Ruling on playing chess]''. January 9th, 2002. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429180022/https://islamqa.info/en/14095 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> dice,<ref name="dice">''[https://islamqa.info/en/95409 95409: Ruling on playing backgammon]''. January 28th, 2007. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429175508/https://islamqa.info/en/95409 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> card games,<ref name="cardgames">''[https://islamqa.info/en/12567 12567: Ruling on playing cards without gambling]''. March 28th, 2009. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429175142/https://islamqa.info/en/12567 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> TV,<ref name="tv">''[https://islamqa.info/en/3633 3633: Ruling on watching TV]''. October 17th, 1999. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429172544/https://islamqa.info/en/3633 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> drawing,<ref name="drawing">''[https://islamqa.info/en/39806 39806: Ruling on drawing animate beings]''. April 18th, 2003. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429173548/https://islamqa.info/en/39806 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> photography,<ref name="photographs">''[https://islamqa.info/en/365 365: Ruling on photographs]''. May 16th, 1998. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429172816/https://islamqa.info/en/365 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> anime/animation,<ref name="anime">''[https://islamqa.info/en/71170 71170: Ruling on animated drawings (cartoons)]''. November 11th, 2009. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429173954/https://islamqa.info/en/71170 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> travelling,<ref name="travelling">''[https://islamqa.info/en/52845 52845: Ruling on travelling for fun (tourism)]''. July 5th, 1998. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429173031/https://islamqa.info/en/52845 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> phones,<ref name="KenneyMoosa2013">Jeffrey T. Kenney; Ebrahim Moosa (15 August 2013). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=8MaMAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT218&dq=%22islam+q%26a%22+banned+in+saudi+arabia&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjY-dbIjsrTAhWpI8AKHb5aB8IQ6AEIKTAA#v=onepage&q=%22islam%20q%26a%22%20banned%20in%20saudi%20arabia&f=false Islam in the Modern World]''. Routledge. p. 218. ISBN 978-1-135-00794-2.</ref> manga, sports,<ref name="sports">''[https://islamqa.info/en/75644 75644: What is the ruling on professional pursuit of football (soccer)?]''. December 16th, 2005. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429180646/https://islamqa.info/en/75644 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> and sexual fantasies in marriage,<ref name="sexualfantasies">''[https://islamqa.info/en/84066 84066: Ruling on sexual fantasies]''. February 4th, 2012. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170429174539/https://islamqa.info/en/84066 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 29th, 2017.</ref> are all "haram" too. However, cheating on your wife is apparently okay because ''"no evidence appears neither in the Qur’an nor sunnah requiring the permission of the first wife if her husband wishes to marry another wife"''.<ref name="marryingasecondwife">''[https://islamqa.info/en/61 61: Validity of marrying a second wife for mere love and without consent of first wife]''. June 15th, 1997. Islam Q&A. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170430001926/https://islamqa.info/en/61 WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved April 30th, 2017.</ref> Evidently, their fatwas lack any common sense.
</div>

[[File:72dd748a-5613-11e6-98ca-49b1c9e3ed10 1280x720.jpg|1000px|thumb|center|<div style="text-align:left; word-spacing: -0.1em; letter-spacing: -0em; line-height:100%; width:100%; font-size:80%;">Pokemon is a harmless game that has forged millions of childhoods across the globe, which some Muslim children are missing out on. The show has left children with amazing fun filled memories.</div>]]
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<small style="border:1px solid; padding:1px 3px; background:#ff0000; color:#FFFFFF; white-space:nowrap">Conclusion:—</small> Muslims have responded to such opinions with bemusement and bewilderment. For this very reason, marketing research textbooks have noted that such fatwas are unpredictable in determining outcomes when it comes to trading with Islamic countries.<ref name="Nestorović2016">Čedomir Nestorović (28 May 2016). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=LXJBDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA243&dq=is+pokemon+haram&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwicgMPN7cXTAhXHchQKHf-TCw4Q6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=is%20pokemon%20haram&f=false Islamic Marketing: Understanding the Socio-Economic, Cultural, and Politico-Legal Environment]''. Springer. p. 243. ISBN 978-3-319-32754-9.</ref> Muslims appear to follow fatwas which they already deem appropriate in the first place.<ref group="n.">This is because Muslims are entirely free within Islam to accept or reject a fatwa based on their own reasoning.
:Quote: ''"A fatwa may be authoritative for some Muslims but not others. The decision to accept or reject a fatwa is entirely up to each individual Muslim"''.
#Volker M. Heins; Kai Koddenbrock; Christine Unrau (5 February 2016). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fl-FCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA145&dq=muslims+pick+and+choose+fatwas&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqyqvU98XTAhUEwBQKHbTWDgkQ6AEINDAC#v=onepage&q=muslims%20pick%20and%20choose%20fatwas&f=false
 Humanitarianism and Challenges of Cooperation]''. Routledge. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-317-33221-3.</ref> This is the case when it comes to music for instance (which is an issue that is widely mired in controversy<ref name="PartridgeMoberg2017">Christopher Partridge; Marcus Moberg (6 April 2017). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=CMoODgAAQBAJ&pg=PA45&dq=music+haram+controversy&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiA3cTm88XTAhXHvhQKHWgvBYgQ6AEINTAD#v=onepage&q=music%20haram%20controversy&f=false The Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion and Popular Music]''. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-4742-3735-2.</ref>), and also of smoking,<ref name="Nestorović2016"/> however when it comes to consuming coca-cola, Muslims appear to care little as to what any fatwa will say.<ref name="Nestorović2016"/> An issue which further illustrates such attitudes is in Malaysia, where a popular comic was released for sale, but who's edition was then banned because it had something to do with ''"Allah"''; leading to a public outcry about the sheer ridiculousness of a ban, where it was then overturned.<ref name="Nestorović2016"/> Some Muslim writers have even called the bans a major intellectual blockage in the Muslim world.<ref name="Guessoum2010">Nidhal Guessoum (30 October 2010). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zaL3AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT252&dq=muslim+pokemon&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjs7YuP8cXTAhUEuRQKHX1bDyQQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=muslim%20pokemon&f=false Islam's Quantum Question: Reconciling Muslim Tradition and Modern Science]''. I.B.Tauris. p. 252. ISBN 978-0-85773-075-6.</ref> For instance, a Sheikh, Abdel Monem abu Zent, was an anti-Pokemon activist, who later admitted he didn't know anything about what he was protesting against.<ref name="Dozier2003">Rush W. Dozier (16 June 2003). ''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=q_mCtra-a5IC&q=muslim+pokemon&dq=muslim+pokemon&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjs7YuP8cXTAhUEuRQKHX1bDyQQ6AEISDAG Why We Hate]''. McGraw Hill Professional. p. 222. ISBN 978-0-8092-2479-1.</ref> Even Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, the highest Islamic authority in Saudi Arabia, didn't even bother researching anything about Pokemon, but instead banned it because it contained the ''"Star of David"'' symbol; thereby making himself look like an uneducated, paranoid, lazy nutcase (as ''"Pokemon"'' actually doesn't contain any such thing).<ref name="saudibanspokemon">''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1243307.stm Saudi Arabia bans Pokemon]''. 26 March, 2001. BBC News. ''[https://web.archive.org/save/_embed/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1243307.stm WayBackMachine Links]''. Retrieved April 28th, 2017.</ref>
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==Sources==
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'''Footnotes'''
<small>
{{reflist|group="n."|4}}
</small>
</div>
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<div class="reflist4" style="height: px; overflow: auto; width: 100%; margin: 0px auto 0px auto; align: center; padding: 3px; border: 0px solid #000000; background: #">
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'''References'''
<small>
{{reflist|3}}
</small>
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==External Links==