Authorities in Qatar have seized a line of children’s toys from stores because its rainbow hues are “incompatible with Islamic beliefs.”
Although the emirate’s commerce and industry ministry did not express a position on the rainbow colours, some of the toys had a colour scheme that was strikingly similar to the LGBTQ flag.
The ministry of commerce and industry announced on Twitter that it “conducted inspection campaigns on multiple retail shops in various regions across Qatar.”
“Several infractions were seized and released as a result of the campaigns, including the confiscation of children’s toys with anti-Islamic sentiments.”
The message was accompanied by images of rainbow-colored rubber stress balls and other toys.
In a second statement on the official QNA news agency, the ministry urged all citizens and residents to report “any goods containing logos or designs antithetical to our customs.”
Qatari authorities did not immediately respond to AFP demands for more information on the seizures.
Qatar’s human rights record has been scrutinised since it was chosen as the host of the 2022 World Cup in 2010, with the plight of the tens of thousands of migrant workers who built the tournament’s infrastructure receiving special attention, along with LGBTQ rights.
