Saudi Arabian authorities have seized rainbow-coloured toys and children’s clothing, which they allege encourages homosexuality.

According to an Al-Ekhbariya report, commerce ministry workers were seen taking a variety of merchandise from businesses in Riyadh’s capital that including hair clips, pop-its, t-shirts, caps, and pencil cases were among the items.

The materials “contradict the Islamic faith and public values, and encourage gay colours targeting the younger generation,” according to one official.

Separately, the commerce ministry said its teams were seizing “items that include symbols and signals that call for deviation and contravene common sense.” It went on to say that shops caught selling them will face legal consequences.

Authorities in neighbouring Qatar announced in December that rainbow-coloured pop-its and other toys had been seized from stores for “carrying statements that go against Islamic norms.”

Although there are no laws governing sexual orientation or gender identity in Sunni Muslim-ruled Saudi Arabia, sexual encounters outside of marriage, including homosexual intercourse, are legally banned.

Consensual same-sex sexual conduct is punishable by death or flogging, depending on the severity of the case, according to the country’s interpretation of Islamic law.

It’s also against the law for men to “behave like women” or wear women’s apparel, and for anybody to engage in online behaviour that interferes with “public order, religious values, public morals, or privacy.”

 

 

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