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Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
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. 'Death of chess in Afghanistan' '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. 'Religious objections and leadership problems' 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. Recent revival 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.'
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.
