Taliban Suspends Chess in Afghanistan Over Religious Concerns

Health

Taliban Suspends Chess in Afghanistan Over Religious Concerns

6 months ago

News sources:

SCMP

BBC

INDIATIMES

Taliban Suspends Chess in Afghanistan Over Religious Concerns

Credited from: INDIATIMES

The Taliban has banned chess in Afghanistan indefinitely.
The government cites gambling concerns and religious law as reasons for the suspension.
This ban follows increasing restrictions on various sports and activities since 2021.
The Afghanistan Chess Federation has been dissolved amid these regulations.
Cafe owners express disappointment over the impact on social activities for youth.

The Taliban has imposed a ban on chess throughout Afghanistan, highlighting concerns that the game encourages gambling, which is illegal under their interpretation of Islamic law. Atal Mashwani, the sports directorate's spokesperson, stated that "chess in sharia is considered a means of gambling," and the sport will remain suspended until these religious concerns are addressed, according to SCMP and IndiaTimes.

This decision is part of the Taliban's broader strategy to tighten restrictions on cultural and social activities since they regained power in 2021. The Afghanistan Chess Federation has been officially dissolved, as their activities are deemed incompatible with the regime's religious views, with ongoing prohibitions on other sports as well, according to IndiaTimes and BBC.

BBC and SCMP.