Death to Mickey: rated F for fatwa.

• Author: Sullum, Jacob
• Position: Citings - Brief article

IN 2007 Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV got rid of Farfour, a man-sized mouse with a squeaky voice who preached violent resistance against Israel on a weekly children's show. Station officials said they needed to make room for other programs. But a recent anti-rodent tirade by Sheikh Muhammad Munajid, a Sunni cleric and former Saudi diplomat, suggests a religious rationale for knocking off Farfour, who in the final episode of his show was beaten to death by an Israeli official who wanted his land.

Appearing on Al-Majd TV in August, Munajid deplored the influence of cartoon mice such as Mickey and Jerry, who encourage children to believe the filthy vermin are benign and lovable. "According to Islamic law," he said, "the mouse is a repulsive, corrupting creature. How do you think children view mice today--after Tom and Jerry? Even creatures that are repulsive by nature, by logic, and according to Islamic law have become wonderful and are loved by children. Even mice. Mickey Mouse has become an awesome character, even...