Taliban Bans Chess in Afghanistan, Calling It ‘Haram’
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On May 12, 2025, the Taliban government in Afghanistan officially banned the game of chess, labeling it as “haram” (forbidden) on religious grounds. This decision, announced by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, reflects the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic principles and continues their pattern of restricting various forms of entertainment and sports since their return to power.
The ban includes the suspension of the Afghanistan National Chess Federation and halts all chess-related activities across the country. Taliban officials have expressed concerns that chess is associated with gambling, which is prohibited under Islamic law. The prohibition will remain in effect until a religious review is conducted to assess the game’s compatibility with Islamic principles.
This is not the first instance where chess has faced bans in Islamic countries. In 1979, following the Islamic Revolution, Iran banned chess, citing similar concerns over gambling and its potential to distract from religious duties. However, the ban was lifted in 1988 when Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa permitting chess, provided it was not associated with gambling.
The Taliban’s recent ban on chess adds to a growing list of restrictions on cultural and recreational activities in Afghanistan, reflecting their ongoing efforts to enforce a conservative interpretation of Islamic law.
