Latest news with #AfghanistanChessFederation
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Taliban bans chess in Afghanistan, calls it 'haram'
The Taliban has banned chess in Afghanistan , citing religious concerns, in yet another move to curb entertainment and sports in the country, Khaama Press reported. The decision was announced by the Taliban's ministry of promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, which claimed that chess is "haram" (forbidden) under its interpretation of Islamic law. The Afghanistan Chess Federation has also been dissolved as part of the ban. Taliban officials from the ministry of sports confirmed on May 11 that all chess-related activities have been suspended indefinitely. They said that the sport would remain banned until religious concerns are addressed. This development comes amid growing restrictions by the Taliban on cultural, social, and sporting events since their return to power in 2021. Prior to the ban, Afghan chess players had reportedly appealed for support and permission to continue playing, but their requests were rejected. Chess had been experiencing a revival in Afghanistan in recent years, with the national federation previously functioning under the Taliban-led ministry of sports.
Times of Oman
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Taliban bans chess in Afghanistan over religious concerns
Kabul: The Taliban has banned chess in Afghanistan due to religious concerns, continuing its opposition to various forms of entertainment and sports, Khaama Press reported. As per reports, the decision was taken due to "religious considerations" and restrictions announced by the Taliban's Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The decision places chess-related activities on hold indefinitely in Afghanistan. Officials from the Taliban-led Ministry of Sports confirmed the suspension of chess activities on May 11, stating that the sport will remain banned in the nation until suitable responses are found regarding religious concerns. As per reports, no activities related to chess would be allowed to resume without addressing these issues. Taliban's Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has also dissolved the Afghanistan Chess Federation, terming the game "haram" (forbidden) as per the interpretation of the Islamic law, Khaama Press reported. The decision follows a growing trend of restrictions imposed by the Taliban on cultural, social and sporting events in Afghanistan since it seized power. Before the Taliban's announcement regarding the ban, several chess players and enthusiasts reportedly requested permission and financial support from the Taliban-led Ministry of Sports to continue their activities. However, the Taliban announced the ban, further complicating their efforts to play the game. Chess, once considered an intellectual sport in Afghanistan, has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, with the national federation operating under the Taliban-led Ministry of Sports, Khaama Press reported. The Taliban's recent stance, citing Islamic legal interpretations, demonstrated their broader strategy to restrict cultural and recreational activities in Afghanistan. The ban on playing chess demonstrates the Taliban's increasing restrictions on freedoms in Afghanistan. The Taliban has also imposed several restrictions on women in Afghanistan. It remains to be seen how long these policies will last or whether the international community will be able to pressurise the Taliban to reverse their decisions. Earlier in February, the Taliban announced that students from March 22 will have to wear the new Taliban-issued uniform. The decision was published on February 27. According to the notice, students in classes 1st to 9th must wear a blue shirt, pants, and a white hat. Students in classes 10th to 12th must wear a white shirt, pants and a headscarf or turban, Khaama Press reported. Previously, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada signed a nine-point decree stating that all public and private school uniforms would include a shirt, pants, turban, and white hat. The bill did not include the details regarding uniforms for female teachers or students. The colour of the uniform for female students is black. Since seizing power in Afghanistan, the Taliban has banned girls from pursuing studies in schools above sixth class and closed the doors of universities and medical educational centres to them.
