Saudi seizes rainbow toys in ‘homosexuality’ crackdown

Saudi officers are seizing rainbow-coloured toys and articles of clothes from retailers within the capital as a part of a crackdown on homosexuality, state media reported.

Targeted objects embody rainbow-coloured bows, skirts, hats and pencil instances, most of them apparently manufactured for younger youngsters, in accordance with a report broadcast Tuesday night by the state-run Al-Ekhbariya information channel.

“We are giving a tour of the items that contradict the Islamic faith and public morals and promote homosexual colours targeting the younger generation,” says an official from the commerce ministry, which is concerned within the marketing campaign.

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Gesturing in the direction of a rainbow flag, a journalist says: “The homosexuality flag is present in one of the Riyadh markets.”

The colors ship a “poisoned message” to youngsters, the report says.

Homosexuality is a possible capital offence in Saudi Arabia, identified for its strict interpretation of Islamic sharia legislation which kinds the idea of its whole judicial system.

In April, the dominion stated it had requested Disney to chop “LGBTQ references” from “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, the newest Marvel film, however that Disney had refused.

The movie finally didn’t display screen in Saudi cinemas.

Disney’s newest animation “Lightyear,” which encompasses a same-sex kiss, has additionally been banned in Saudi Arabia and greater than a dozen different international locations, a supply near Disney informed AFP Tuesday, although Riyadh has not commented on that movie.

Tuesday’s Al-Ekhbariya report additionally confirmed stills of Benedict Cumberbatch in “Doctor Strange” and of apparently overseas youngsters waving rainbow flags.

The report didn’t element what number of institutions have been focused or objects seized within the commerce ministry operation, and Saudi officers didn’t instantly reply to an AFP request for remark Wednesday.