RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (UPI) -- A Saudi sheik has declared Disney animated icon Mickey Mouse "a soldier of Satan" who "should be killed in all cases."

Islamic cleric Muhammad al-Munajid, a former diplomat who once served at the Saudi Embassy in Washington, said during an interview with al-Majd Television that Islamic law declares the mouse as "a repulsive, corrupting creature" and he condemned cartoons that glorify rodents, including Mickey Mouse, Ynetnews reported Tuesday.

"Mickey Mouse has become an awesome character, even though according to Islamic law, Mickey Mouse should be killed in all cases," al-Munajid said.

"The shari'a (Islamic religious law) refers to the mouse as 'little corrupter,' and says it is permissible to kill it in all cases. It says that mice set fire to the house, and are steered by Satan. The mouse is one of Satan's soldiers," he said.