Kabul: According to a sports official on Sunday, Taliban officials have banned chess nationwide until further notice because they believe it to be a source of gambling, which is prohibited by the government’s morality rule.
Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban administration has gradually enforced laws and rules that are consistent with its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
According to the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice law, which was unveiled last year, “Chess in sharia (Islamic law) is considered a means of gambling,” spokesperson Atal Mashwani of the sports department told AFP.
“There are religious considerations regarding the sport of chess,” he stated.
“Until these considerations are addressed, the sport of chess is suspended in Afghanistan,” he stated.
