MUSCAT: Oman’s Assistant Grand Mufti, Sheikh Kahlan Al Kharusi, has called on authorities to ban popular computer game PUBG (Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds), as it is deemed as “addictive and time-wasting.”
Sheikh Khalfan also said that the game can have dire consequence on the mental health of the person. “There is no religious law regarding entertainment that applies to this game. It can lead to addiction, mind and soul distraction. The game also captivates the ones who play and this can lead to dire health with mental and psychological effects. It’s indisputable that the game is popular even in non-Muslim communities, which proves that this game’s impacts are greater,” the Assistant Grand Mufti said.
PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds), a multiplayer survival battle game developed by a South Korean firm, has already been banned in many countries. The game has become ‘very accessible’ since it was released in 2017, be it on consoles, PCs or smartphones.
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Sheikh Kahlan added: “It’s a time-wasting game which makes the user oblivious to what is going on around him. It’s like some other games which lead them to inflict harm upon themselves and others and can lead to committing murder and even suicide.”
The Assistant Grand Mufti of Oman explained that there is no benefit to playing this game and it can destroy the morals and virtues of society.
“It’s forbidden in Islam in Sharia. Frankly, we call for the blocking and banning of this game. Procedures should be taken to block this game. The authorities should take responsibility for it and take action to ban this,” he added.
