- By Shivangi Sharma
- Thu, 15 May 2025 07:09 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Taliban has officially banned the game of chess in Afghanistan, citing religious concerns and fears that the game promotes gambling. The announcement, confirmed by Atal Mashwani, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Sports Directorate, adds chess to a widening list of banned activities and marks a further tightening of the regime’s hardline interpretation of Islamic law.
According to reports from TOLO News and the BBC, the Afghanistan Chess Federation has been dissolved, and all chess-related activities are suspended until further notice. Mashwani stated that the ban is partially due to “leadership issues within the national chess federation” but emphasised that the main reason lies in “religious concerns surrounding the game.” The indefinite ban reflects the Taliban's stance that chess may be incompatible with Islamic principles, particularly due to its potential association with gambling.
This decision follows the recent ban on mixed martial arts, which the Taliban labelled as “too violent” and not aligned with Islamic values. The regime had earlier introduced a 2021 law prohibiting “face-punching” in sports.
Women Face Most Restrictions
The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has led to an increasingly repressive regime, especially towards women. Women are barred from higher education, public spaces, employment, and all forms of sports participation. They are also prohibited from going to salons, gyms, or even speaking or praying in public.
Afghan women must:
- Cover their entire body in public, including mandatory face coverings
- Avoid wearing tight, thin, or short clothing
- Not be seen by non-Muslim men and women
- Not sing, read aloud, or speak in public, as their voices are deemed "intimate"
- Avoid eye contact with unrelated men
Crackdown On Expression And Media
Other laws continue to impact Afghan culture and media. Article 17 prohibits the publication of images depicting living beings, posing a major threat to journalism, advertising, and even educational materials. Article 19 bans music entirely, forbids solo travel for women, and prohibits men and women from mingling if they are not related.
