PUBG, the online game, has been downloaded over 360 million times across the world since its release in late 2017. | Photo Credit: IANS

Jakarta: An Indonesian Muslim group on Wednesday slapped a fatwa or religious edict on online multi-player game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds or PUBG. As per the group, the hugely popular game insults Islam and triggers violent streak in players.

The fatwa was issued in conservative Aceh province. Notably, PUBG is banned in the Indian state of Gujarat, and countries like Iraq and Nepal over fears that it stirs up aggressive behaviour in gamers and encourages violence.

Last month, a 16-year-old boy, who hailed from the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, had succumbed to a major cardiac arrest after playing PUBG for six straight hours, triggering widespread concerns.

The mobile game, developed and published by PUBG Corporation, has been downloaded over 360 million times across the world since its release in late 2017.

On Wednesday, the Aceh chapter of Indonesia's powerful Ulema Council urged local residents to not play PUBG and added that the local government should just ponder over banning the game.

"Our fatwa says that PUBG and other similar games are haram (forbidden) because they can trigger violence and change people's behaviour," said Faisal Ali, the deputy chairman of the Aceh Ulema Council.

"It also insults Islam," Ali told news agency AFP.

Underlining the PUBG's rising popularity among Aceh's residents, Ali called it worrying and said: “We've seen that children and even adults in Aceh are starting to get addicted to the game and they're playing it everywhere on their mobile phones.”