You're twisting my melon: UAE police discover voodoo fruit

Police in the UAE say they found and determined a strange fruit covered in writing and nails was "not dangerous".

Police in Sharjah, an emirate neighbouring Dubai, posted a picture and video of the fruit found Saturday on a beach there.

The yellow melon bore Arabic writing and appeared to have a cartoon picture of a person on it, with nails hammered into neat rows on the figure.

Police say they spoke with officials at the emirate's Islamic Affairs Department and determined it "not to be a threat".

While more relaxed on social issues than many of its Arab neighbours, items associated with black magic and witchcraft are illegal in the country.