As part of the iOS 9.1 update for iPhone users, emoji were included from the latest unicode specification released this week, as well as 150 new emoticons.
38 new emojis to be introduced in 2016
Among the new characters, many were excited by the mosque, Kaabah and the tasbeeh which are featured alongside other religious buildings, new food emoji and the much awaited and controversial middle finger.
Smile! Emoji is taking over advertising
In the late 1990s, emojis were first developed in Japan as smiley-faced emoticons. They have since developed from graphically representing faces to depicting a whole lot of different things, including pets, objects and poo.
Twitter was abuzz with excitement as emoji fans shared their views on the new characters:
https://twitter.com/hirastop/status/656919785217871872
There's a kabah and musjid emoji omggggg 😍😍😍😍🕋🕌
— ✮ kick-fil-a ✮ (@saba_sacho) October 21, 2015
https://twitter.com/_iwaizumi/status/656978981439295488
GUYS WE GOT A KABAH EMOJI!!! WE GOT A KABAH EMOJIII!!!!!!!!!!!
— Momin (@mominnn) October 22, 2015
https://twitter.com/xakmx_/status/657047974908854273
https://twitter.com/snowberjaura/status/657075684385230848
THEY HAVE AN EMOJI FOR THE KABAH
— Maneeta (@lilcurrylover) October 22, 2015
https://twitter.com/enticingniall/status/657158687346200576
https://twitter.com/_alannaaaaa/status/653630891126849536
https://twitter.com/SheeSheeBby/status/656988491847327745
https://twitter.com/samannnx/status/657030684746371073
https://twitter.com/BarikEmana/status/657371702092025860
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