UAE | General

People fume as shops sell toy that hurts religious feelings

Scores of Emiratis are angry that a toy that offends Islamic sentiments is being sold in local malls. People have requested that the municipality pull the pig-shaped toys off the shelves.

  • By Nasouh Nazzal, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:05 June 23, 2007
  • Gulf News

Ras Al Khaimah: Scores of Emiratis are angry that a toy that offends Islamic sentiments is being sold in local malls.

People have requested that the municipality pull the pig-shaped toys off the shelves.

Some people believe the toys have been brought here on purpose.

The furious Emiratis said children are raised here to believe pigs are dirty and now contrary to that there are toys which show that what they believe is incorrect.

"There are some dirty games being played against our culture and religion," said the parents.

The municipality said it will investigate the matter.

The Emiratis said the sale of these toys is totally rejected in an Arab and Muslim society and all attempts to play dirty games with the local culture and religion should be foiled.

Most of the Emiratis have taken pictures of the pig-shaped toys and provided them to the authorities, urging them to take quick action against the shops selling them.

They urged the authorities to seize all those toys from the markets and question the suppliers and ban them from bringing these toys into the UAE.

Shopowners said they have not received an official order to ban the toys.

They said some customers have been buying the toys for their children.

But there are some who have complained, they said.

Unsolved

The owners and staff of shops said some of the customers who bought the toys are threatening to file cases against the shops.

This issue will remain unsolved until officials from the concerned departments study the issue and come up with a decision, shopkeepers said.

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