Afghanistan: Taliban bans chess due to 'religious concerns'

The interim administration of Afghanistan has officially banned chess, continuing its opposition to various forms of entertainment and sports in the country, Khaama Press reported.

The country's Ministry of Sports has confirmed the suspension.

The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has even dissolved the Afghanistan Chess Federation by calling it 'haram' (forbidden).

Since coming to power in 2021, the Taliban has imposed several restrictions in the South Asian nation, that has witnessed wars for years, as per its vision of the Islamic Law.

Last year, the Taliban had banned free fighting such as mixed martial arts (MMA) in professional competition.

Taliban restrictions on women’s rights intensify: UN

Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have followed through on decrees aimed at erasing women from public life in the country and restricting their freedom of movement, the UN mission to the country (UNAMA) said in its latest human rights report published recently covering the first quarter of 2025.

The mission continued to receive reports that Afghan women are being denied the opportunity to join the workforce, are unable to access services without a male relative while girls are still deprived of their right to education.

Since the Taliban took over the country from the democratically-elected Government in August 2021, women and girls have been systemically excluded from equal participation in society, the report confirms.

UNAMA, whose mandate includes monitoring human rights, also reported public floggings, shrinking civic space, and brutal attacks on former government officials.

Forced conversions

Taliban authorities have also increased enforcement of repressive restrictions on media outlets, ramped up corporal punishment, and the clampdown on religious freedom and re-education.

Between 17 January and 3 February, in Badakhshan province in northeastern Afghanistan, at least 50 Ismaili men were taken from their homes at night and forced to convert to Sunni Islam under the threat of violence, the report details.

More than 180 people, including women and girls, have been flogged for the offences of adultery and practicing homosexuality during the reporting period, in public venues attended by Taliban officials.