Taliban Bans Chess in Afghanistan
The Taliban government has added chess to the list of prohibited activities, classifying it as gambling and a violation of moral values, the Afghan Sports Directorate announced today.
Chess is considered a “means of betting,” which is prohibited under the Law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, adopted last year, said Sports Directorate spokesperson Atal Mashwani to AFP.
Since this concerns religious issues, chess will be suspended in Afghanistan until these matters are resolved, Mashwani added, without specifying penalties for violations.
Azizullah Gulzada (46), owner of a Kabul cafe where customers have enjoyed playing chess, said he will enforce the ban but remains unconvinced by the religious arguments for the decision.
“Many Muslim countries have international-level players participating in global competitions. Many young people used to come here every day without any money for betting,” he said.
Gulzada expressed regret that people will now have fewer excuses to gather, adding that passionate chess players will likely be dissatisfied with the decision.
Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban has gradually imposed its ultra-rigorous interpretation of Islam, banning certain activities and sports.
Last year, the Taliban banned MMA (mixed martial arts) competitions, deeming them “too violent and problematic under Sharia law,” while cricket remains widely practiced but only among men.
The Taliban has progressively excluded women from public life, banning them from parks, gyms, beauty salons, and universities, prompting the UN to condemn this “gender apartheid” – reports Danas.rs.
