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.