The Taliban outlawed chess in Afghanistan on Sunday citing concerns that it may promote gambling in the nation, asserting it to violate their interpretation of the Islamic law, as reported by Khaama Press. The Taliban-headed sports ministry claimed that the game will remain suspended until suitable solutions are found for the flagged concerns.
The Taliban Ministry for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice dissolved the Afghanistan Chess Federation calling the sport to be ‘haram’ in their understanding of the Islamic law.
In moves prior to the ban, the Afghanistan Chess players had appealed to the ministry for their support and permission to play, but their pleas were rejected. According to reports, chess had undergone a revival in the nation with a growing community of players.
The ban is a part of several restrictions that the Taliban has imposed in Afghanistan since it seized power in 2021. Sports, culture and entertainment has also been subjected to heavy restrictions.
The Taliban had banned Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) last year claiming to be “violent” and not in accordance with Sharia law. Women have also been excluded from sports under their regime.
These moves are not just restricted to sports but also to education and other spheres of life, especially for women. The group has prohibited girls from pursuing education beyond the sixth grade. Women are also not allowed to access public spaces unless they are accompanied by a “marham” or a male relative.
