Taliban government bans chess in country; explains that it is gambling under Sharia law

 

 

Kabul: The Taliban government has banned chess in Afghanistan over concerns that it is linked to gambling. The move was taken by the Taliban’s sports directorate, which regulates all sports events in Afghanistan. Chess is considered gambling under Sharia law. The Taliban strictly adheres to this law, said Atal Mashwani, a spokesman for the government’s sports department.

The explanation is that chess is also considered gambling under the Protection of Morals and Prohibition of Evil Acts issued last year. There are some religious concerns related to the game of chess. He also said that chess will be banned in Afghanistan until those are resolved. Aziz Gulzada, the owner of a cafe in Kabul that has hosted unofficial chess tournaments in recent years, said that there was no gambling.

He pointed out that chess is also played in other Muslim-majority countries. He told AFP that there are many other Islamic countries with players at the international level. He said he would respect the ban, but that it would hurt his business and those who enjoy the game.