PUBG Mobile pulled a card called “Hand of the Almighty” from its game and issued a public apology after Muslim players flagged the item as religiously offensive and demanded its removal. The backlash was swift, the removal was immediate — but the broader conversation it sparked is worth paying close attention to. The Current Pk
Table of Contents
PUBG Mobile: The Controversy at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Item Removed | “Hand of the Almighty” card |
| Introduced In | Hero’s Crown update (Card Collection System) |
| Why It Was Offensive | Arabic translation — “Al-Jabbar” — is one of the 99 names of Allah |
| Platforms of Backlash | PUBG Mobile MENA & Philippines Facebook pages, app store reviews |
| Action Taken | Immediate removal + public apology |
| Developer | KRAFTON / Level Infinite |
What Was the “Hand of the Almighty” Card?
The controversial item was a “Hand of the Almighty” themed card introduced in the new Hero’s Crown game mode alongside the massive 4.4 version update. The card allowed players to generate temporary cover for protection during matches and featured an image of a divine-like hand descending from the clouds.
The card drew criticism mainly from Muslim players in the Middle East, because when translated into Arabic, the in-game term becomes “Al-Jabbar” — one of the names used in religious contexts to refer to God in Islam. Many users in the region play the game with Arabic as their default language.
Players posted directly on the Arabic PUBG Mobile Facebook page, calling out the name respectfully but firmly. The response from the community was unified and loud.
PUBG Mobile’s Response
“We have removed this item immediately from the game,” the official statement read. “At PUBG MOBILE, we value and respect all religions and strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.” The Current Pk
There was no delay, no pushback — the item was gone within hours of the backlash gaining traction.
This Isn’t the First Time
This episode isn’t isolated. In May 2024, the game apologised after Muslim players objected to the use of Islamic calligraphy in a promotional video, with the company stating: “We are deeply sorry that it offended some of our users. We understand the importance of respecting different religious beliefs and sensitivities and hence we have removed that asset.” The Current Pk
Before that, in 2020, PUBG Mobile pulled its entire Mysterious Jungle game mode after Muslim players raised objections to a feature that required players to pray in front of totems to restore health, which many considered a form of idol worship prohibited in Islam. The Current Pk
According to PUBG Mobile’s Wikipedia page, the game boasts hundreds of millions of players globally — with massive user bases across the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia — making cultural and religious sensitivity in content creation not just a moral responsibility, but a business one.
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FAQs
Why did PUBG Mobile remove the “Hand of the Almighty” card?
The card was removed after Muslim players flagged it as religiously offensive — its Arabic translation, “Al-Jabbar,” is one of the 99 names of Allah in Islam, making it deeply sacred and inappropriate for in-game use.
Has PUBG Mobile faced similar religious controversies before?
Yes — in 2024, PUBG Mobile apologised over Islamic calligraphy in a promo video, and in 2020, it removed its entire Mysterious Jungle mode after players objected to totem-praying mechanics deemed contrary to Islamic beliefs.
