Japanese, please help! Pikachu means "I am Jew"?

Malaysia
April 22, 2013 9:49am CST
Pokemon is banned in Saudi Arabia. Sheik Abdel Monem abu Zent: "It has been proven that this toy is part of a Jewish plan to corrupt the mind of our young generation because it alludes to blasphemous thinking, it mocks our God and our moral values and is therefore extremely dangerous for our youth." He said that ALTHOUGH HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT ANIME. (Can I take it as talking without thinking?) I thought pokemon means "pocket monsters" and pikachu stands for "sparkle" and "sound of mice"? Is that just another freaking false religious fundamentalist who just knows nothing? Or is there hidden agenda behind that anime (I don't think so).
4 responses
piya84
@piya84 (2581)
• India
23 Apr 13
Research must be sponsor by some rival toy making local company who want to sell their toys more. That seriously hilarious though
dionysianspirit
@dionysianspirit (161)
• Canada
23 Apr 13
The person saying this is known for saying many very demented, narrow minded, backwards things. Pikachu doesn't mean "I am Jew" and neither does Pokemon. The radical Sheik is implying that Jews like to "collect money" and in this case "collect creatures". He is fueling a stereotype that Jews are constantly craving and hording things (in particular money) and is causing unrest and prejudice. You have to remember that in Saudi Arabia many medieval and prehistoric practices still occur and that this culture is fueled by religion. Video games in general are frowned upon in this culture; as are music, dancing and other forms of "expression". Don't let this Sheik convince you of anything as he is just furthering hate and prejudice in line with his own personal agenda.
dogsnme
@dogsnme (1264)
• United States
22 Apr 13
I'd call the guy a religious "radical." But that's just me. I don't know what pokemon or pikachu means but claiming they are connected to a Jewish plan to corrupt is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard of. I don't trust what an Arab Sheik, or any Arab for that matter, says. It's just my opinion but I'd have to say the Sheik is the one who is trying to corrupt.
varier
@varier (5685)
• Indonesia
23 Apr 13
Seems like he's a huge conspiracy theories fan.. Moreover, I doubt Pikachu is a Jew..