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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Taliban Banned Chess
Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the extremist Islamic group has unleashed sweeping draconian policies to transform the nation into a more traditional society that espouses the moral and religious values of Sharia law. The banning of girls from secondary education, forcing women out of work, and extreme media censorship have made headlines, but an equally insidious campaign has largely been missed. The Taliban has focused on dismantling leisure and joy, with its latest target one of humanity's oldest pastimes: chess. On May 11, Afghanistan's Ministry of Sports issued a declaration stating the game's indefinite suspension, elaborating that "religious concerns" needed to be properly addressed. This declaration came after Atal Mashwani, spokesperson for the country's sports directorate, stated last year that the game was considered gambling under Sharia law. Until these religious objections are resolved, chess will remain in limbo. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice effectively dissolved the Afghanistan National Chess Federation (ANCF), an organization that governs chess competitions in the nation and represents Afghanistan in the World Chess Federation. Speaking with president of the ANCF Ghulam Ali Malak Zad said the suspension halted all of the federation's official operations, even restricting casual, non-competitive play in public spaces. This is part of a broader pattern. Since 2021, the Taliban have been targeting different forms of recreation, under the guise of improving morality. In 2022, the government barred women from entering public spaces such as gyms and parks, decreeing that "people were ignoring gender segregation orders and that women were not wearing the required hijab." In 2023, the government burned musical instruments, claiming music "causes moral corruption." The founder of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, Ahmad Sarmast, called it an act of "cultural genocide." Many musicians have fled the nation since 2021. The Taliban are not only regulating morality—they are fundamentally eliminating voluntary activity. The bans reflect a political effect more than a religious one. Building a community and asserting some level of individuality outside the state's control is a grave threat to regimes that thrive on obedience and passivity. Furthermore, a game that promotes strategic reasoning, voluntary and friendly competitions, and independent thought is truly dangerous to a regime that demands conformity. Authoritarian regimes don't just rewrite their constitutions or crush any form of political dissent; they slowly chip away at small freedoms that make life more enjoyable. When any government decides how people relax, think, or enjoy themselves, it isn't just about policing morality—it's about asserting political control. The post The Taliban Banned Chess appeared first on
Roya News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Taliban bans chess in Afghanistan
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has imposed a ban on chess, citing concerns that the game could encourage gambling. Officials announced that the sport would remain prohibited indefinitely until its compatibility with the law is clarified. Atal Mashwani, a spokesperson for the Taliban's sports directorate, explained on Sunday that chess is seen as a form of gambling under Islamic Sharia law. "There are religious considerations regarding the sport of chess," Mashwani told Agence France-Presse (AFP). "Until these considerations are addressed, the sport of chess is suspended in Afghanistan." The chess ban is part of a broader trend under the Taliban's rule since it seized power in August 2021, with the government steadily enforcing strict regulations grounded in its interpretation of Islamic law. Many public spaces and activities have faced restrictions, particularly those involving women. Women are essentially barred from participating in sports altogether under the current regime. Azizullah Gulzada, a cafe owner in Kabul who had hosted informal chess competitions in recent years, expressed disappointment over the new policy. He acknowledged the government's decision but noted that it would negatively impact his business. "Young people don't have a lot of activities these days, so many came here every day," Gulzada said. "They would have a cup of tea and challenge their friends to a game of chess." Gulzada also pointed out that chess is played in many other Muslim-majority countries, highlighting the contrast with Afghanistan's new restrictions. This move follows last year's ban on mixed martial arts (MMA) in professional competition, which was prohibited by the Taliban on the grounds that it was too violent and violated Sharia principles. A Taliban spokesperson explained that MMA "has many aspects which are contradictory to the teachings of Islam" and was outlawed due to its "face-punching" nature.
Global News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Taliban adds chess to ever-growing list of things banned in Afghanistan
The Taliban have banned chess in Afghanistan, citing religious reasons, adding the game to a long list of pastimes and activities that are prohibited across the country. Citing fears that the game is a source of gambling, Taliban officials said it will be suspended indefinitely until it's determined how compatible chess is with Islamic law, the BBC reports. The move to ban chess is just the latest in an ever-growing list of restrictions to cultural, social and sporting events dictated by the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Ministry since the hardline, Islamist Taliban returned to power in 2021. Restrictions on once-commonplace activities have been particularly directed at women, barring them from public spaces, education and jobs. Atal Mashwani, spokesperson for the Taliban's Sports Directorate, told TOLO News that chess has been suspended 'due to leadership issues within the national chess federation and religious concerns surrounding the game.' Story continues below advertisement He said chess in Sharia or Islamic law is considered 'a means of gambling.' The Afghanistan Chess Federation has also been dissolved as part of the ban. 2:04 How a Canadian charity is helping Afghan women restricted under Taliban rule One cafe owner in Kabul, who hosts regular amateur chess competitions but says gambling is never involved, told the BBC he would suspend the tournaments but that it would hurt his bottom line. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Young people don't have a lot of activities these days, so many came here every day,' Azizullah Gulzada told the outlet. 'They would have a cup of tea and challenge their friends to a game of chess.' He also noted to the AFP that 'many other Islamic countries have players on an international level.' Story continues below advertisement The move to ban chess comes just months after the Taliban banned free fighting, such as mixed martial arts, saying it was not aligned with sharia (Islamic law) and was too 'violent.' The banning of MMA followed a 2021 law that prohibited 'face-punching.' Last October, the Taliban issued a decree that prohibits women from praying aloud or reciting the Qur'an in each other's presence. Two months earlier, in August 2024, they issued laws making it mandatory for women to veil their entire bodies, including their faces, at all times in public. Women were also forbidden from singing, reciting and reading aloud in public, as a woman's voice is deemed 'intimate' and should not be heard. Women are already excluded from education after sixth grade, many public spaces and most jobs. They are also prohibited from looking at men they are not related to by blood or marriage.
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Taliban Bans Chess In Afghanistan Over Gambling Concerns
The Taliban government has banned chess in Afghanistan until further notice, owing to fears that the game is a source of gambling for the players. Apart from banning the game, the Afghanistan National Chess Federation (ANCF) has also been suspended, according to a report in the BBC. The country's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice announced the move, stating the game will remain prohibited until its compatibility with Islamic law can be determined. "Chess in sharia is considered a means of gambling, which is prohibited according to the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice law announced last year," said sports directorate spokesperson Atal Mashwani, adding that religious concerns are at the heart of the decision. "There are religious considerations regarding the sport of chess," said Mr Mashwani. Former president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Kirsan Ilyumzhninov said he had prepared an appeal to the taliban leadership to reconsider their decision. "In connection with the situation with the ban on chess in Afghanistan, I have prepared an appeal to the Taliban leadership with a request to reconsider their decision," wrote Mr Ilyumzhninov on X (formerly Twitter). ‼️ In connection with the situation with the ban on chess in Afghanistan, I have prepared an appeal to the Taliban leadership with a request to reconsider their decision. — Кирсан Илюмжинов (@Kirsan__) May 11, 2025 This is not the first instance when Chess has been banned in Afghanistan. After the Taliban came to power in the Asian nation in 1996, the terrorist outfit banned the game, but it managed to stage a comeback after the regime change in 2001. Last year, the authorities banned free fighting sports such as mixed martial arts (MMA) in professional competition, saying it was too "violent" and "problematic with respect to sharia". Since seizing power in August 2021 after the US hastily withdrew its troops, the Taliban has constantly curtailed the freedom of its citizens. Women are prohibited from pursuing higher education and are not allowed in public or amusement parks.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Taliban bans chess
The Taliban has banned Afghans from playing chess until it works out whether the game is compatible with Islamic law. The decision, announced by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, follows the dissolution of the Afghanistan Chess Federation and places all chess-related activities on indefinite suspension. Atal Mashwani, spokesman for the Taliban's sports directorate, said on Sunday: 'There are religious considerations regarding chess, and it is prohibited in the propagation of virtue. 'Until these are addressed, the sport is suspended.' While the regime insists the ban is under review, no timeline has been given for a possible reinstatement. 'This is a suspension, not an outright ban, but it feels like the death of chess in Afghanistan,' a senior official from the now-defunct Afghanistan National Chess Federation (ANCF) told The Telegraph. 'Chess runs in the blood of Afghan society. You'll find it in homes, cafes and even village gatherings,' he added. 'Afghans love chess, we've won international medals, and the game is part of our cultural identity.' Until the Taliban's scholars determine whether chess is halal (allowed), haram (prohibited) or perhaps Makrooh Tahreem (disliked), all chess events are suspended, the ANCF official said. 'In many Islamic countries, chess is not banned. This is more about interpretation than religion,' he added. The official said that internal disputes had paralysed Afghanistan's chess federation well before the formal ban. After the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021, ANCF officials fled the country fearing they would be killed because they worked for the previous government. In their absence, the Taliban appointed new leaders of the body, who were not approved by the international chess authorities. Authorities still recognise the old body led by Ghulam Ali Malak Zad, who is thought to currently be in Germany or somewhere else in Europe. Local players believe Mr Zad is working in cahoots with international chess authorities and has not allowed the Taliban body to work. 'The federation has not functioned effectively for the past two years,' the official said. 'The issue lies both with religious objections and leadership problems.' 'The president of the federation fled abroad years ago but still interferes, which has caused chaos for players on the ground.' 'The tussle between the Taliban and international chess bodies has left Afghan players caught in the middle,' he said. Chess was banned under previous Taliban rule between 1996 to 2001. In 1996, the Afghan Olympic team went to Armenia for the Yerevan Chess Olympiad and found they could not return. The game has experienced a modest revival in the country in recent years, with players participating in international tournaments and grass-roots competitions gaining popularity in urban centres like Kabul. Informal games were often held in cafes and parks, offering rare moments of leisure in an increasingly repressive environment. Azizullah Gulzada, a cafe owner in Kabul who hosted local chess tournaments, rejected claims that the game promoted gambling. 'Young people don't have a lot of activities these days, so many came here,' he told AFP. 'They would have a cup of tea and challenge their friends to a game of chess.' Abdul Khaliq Wais, the ANCF's former vice president, said the country was at 'serious risk of losing chess entirely'. 'Without institutional support, it will vanish from Afghan society.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
