The Taliban government has declared that chess will be categorized as “gambling” until further notice, a violation of their morality laws, according to a statement from Sports Directorate spokesman Atal Maswani.
Maswani explained to AFP that chess is seen as a means for monetary betting, which is prohibited under the law governing the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. He did not clarify the penalties for those who violate this ruling.
Azizullah Gulzada, 46, a café owner in Kabul frequented by chess players, stated he would comply with the new directive but expressed skepticism regarding the rationale that religious beliefs prohibit the game. “Many Muslim countries have international-level players in tournaments, and many young people came here daily without gambling,” he remarked. “Chess enthusiasts are disheartened,” he added.
Since regaining control in 2021, the Taliban have steadily enforced their stringent interpretation of Islam, instituting bans on various activities and sports. In 2024, they prohibited mixed martial arts competitions, labeling them as “violent” and potentially against sharia law. While cricket remains permitted, it is exclusively for men.
The exclusion of women from public life has intensified, with bans on parks, gyms, beauty salons, and universities, leading the UN to accuse the Taliban of implementing a form of “gender apartheid.”
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