Turkey’s union of imams proposes ban on Pokemon Go

Diyanet-Sen head Mehmet Bayraktutar particularly raised concerns that the game was undermining reverence for Islamic holy places, as gamers try to catch pokemons across diverse public spaces – including mosques. 

“This undermines the prominence and significance of mosques, which are the most beautiful worship places in Islam,” Bayraktar was quoted as saying in daily Habertürk.

“I want it to be banned in Turkey,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has also issued a warning about playing the game between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., amid concerns about exposure to the summer sun. 

“Don’t go outside unless you have to in the afternoon hours, when the sun is at its strongest,” read a warning posted on the ministry’s Facebook account, to which one user replied by asking whether he should go outside to hunt pokemons using the wildly popular mobile app. 

“We don’t recommend searching for Pokémon between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays hit at a direct angle. We also recommend you keep your eyes on the road and not on the screen of your phone, especially when crossing the street,” the ministry said.