The Taliban government in Afghanistan has imposed an indefinite chess ban, citing religious concerns. The government fears that the game may promote gambling, which is a practice strictly forbidden under the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law. This chess ban was announced on Sunday by the Ministry of Promotion of VirtueMart and Prevention of Vice.
According to Taliban officials, chess is considered “haram” in Islam because it’s viewed as a form of gambling. Atal Mashwani, the spokesperson for the Taliban’s sports directorate, stated, “Chess in sharia (Islamic law) is considered a means of gambling. There are religious considerations regarding the sport of chess. Until these considerations are addressed, the sport of chess is suspended in Afghanistan.”
The authorities have suspended all chess-related activities until further notice, declaring that the sport will remain banned under religious concerns.
Disappointment Floods On Chess Ban
As a part of the ban, the Afghanistan Chess Federation has been dissolved, effectively halting the organised promotion and development of chess in the country. This ban on chess comes at a crucial time when chess has been experiencing a surge in Afghanistan. Local business owners such as Azizullah Gulzada, who hosted chess games in his cafes, expressed disappointment, noting the ban would hurt both his business and the social life of young people.
He said, “Many other Islamic countries have players on an international level. Young people don’t have a lot of activities these days, so many came here every day. They would have a cup of tea and challenge their friends to a game of chess.”
Chess Isn’t Alone, MMA Also Banned
The chess ban isn’t an isolated incident. Since regaining its power in 2021, the Taliban has imposed a series of restrictions on several sporting activities, such as mixed martial arts, which was banned due to being “violent.” The ban is a significant blow to Afghanistan’s sporting culture, especially since the country saw a rise in chess players recently. The future of chess enthusiasts remains uncertain as the Taliban continues to enforce its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
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