While gay pride flags are flying high everywhere in the western world, officials in Saudi Arabia have launched a crackdown on the promotion of homosexuality by seizing rainbow-colored items being sold in shops.
The crackdown is primarily unfolding in the country’s capital, Riyadh, where toys and clothing featuring rainbow colors are being removed from store shelves.
“We are having to look out for slogans that violate the rules of Islam and public morals like promoting homosexuality colors, targeting the young generation,” said a Ministry of Commerce official.
Saudi state-run TV channel al-Ekhbariya reported that items seized include children’s hair accessories, pencil cases, backpacks and crayon packets that feature rainbow colors.
Officials justified the seizures by asserting that the colors represent a “poisonous message” to children.
Similar seizures occurred in Qatar last year, which will play host to the 2022 World Cup featuring western teams that routinely perform acts of virtue signaling in support of the LGBT movement.
Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia, where punishments under Islamic Sharia law range from fines and public whipping, to chemical castration and execution.
Read More: Saudi Arabia Seizes Rainbow-Colored Products in Crackdown on Homosexuality