Taliban bans Mixed Martial Arts in Afghanistan, citing incompatibility with Islamic Law
Ahmad Wali Hotak is an Afghan MMA Fighter
KABUL, August 30, 2024 - In a significant blow to one of Afghanistan's most popular sports, the Taliban government has officially banned Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) across the country, declaring it incompatible with Islamic law.
SEVERE RISKS The Taliban government released a statement last week to this effect. The Afghan Olympic Committee spokesperson, Atal Mushwanai, explained the reasoning behind the ban, stating that MMA was deemed too violent and posed severe risks, including the potential for death. "While we support various sports and athletes in the country, we cannot endorse an activity that so starkly contradicts our religious and moral values," Mushwanai remarked.
PROBLEMATIC TO SHARIA This sentiment was echoed in the official statement from the Ministry, which emphasized that MMA was found to be "problematic with respect to Sharia" and that "many aspects of the sport are contradictory to the teachings of Islam."
One of Afghanistan's leading MMA figures, champion Ahmad Wali Hotak, took to social media to express his disappointment and frustration with the decision. Hotak, who has represented Afghanistan on the global stage, stated, "I was only playing for my country." His words reflect the deep connection many Afghan athletes feel toward their sport and their homeland, even under the restrictive and often repressive policies of the Taliban regime.
The Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice expressed: "It was found that the sport is problematic with respect to Sharia and it has many aspects which are contradictory to the teachings of Islam."
POPULAR SPORT MMA is one of the popular sports among young generation in Afghanistan, and many Afghan MMA players plaid inside and outside of Afghanistan.
Competitions were effectively outlawed in 2021 when the Taliban introduced legislation prohibiting "face-punching".
SEVERE RISKS The Taliban government released a statement last week to this effect. The Afghan Olympic Committee spokesperson, Atal Mushwanai, explained the reasoning behind the ban, stating that MMA was deemed too violent and posed severe risks, including the potential for death. "While we support various sports and athletes in the country, we cannot endorse an activity that so starkly contradicts our religious and moral values," Mushwanai remarked.
PROBLEMATIC TO SHARIA This sentiment was echoed in the official statement from the Ministry, which emphasized that MMA was found to be "problematic with respect to Sharia" and that "many aspects of the sport are contradictory to the teachings of Islam."
One of Afghanistan's leading MMA figures, champion Ahmad Wali Hotak, took to social media to express his disappointment and frustration with the decision. Hotak, who has represented Afghanistan on the global stage, stated, "I was only playing for my country." His words reflect the deep connection many Afghan athletes feel toward their sport and their homeland, even under the restrictive and often repressive policies of the Taliban regime.
The Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice expressed: "It was found that the sport is problematic with respect to Sharia and it has many aspects which are contradictory to the teachings of Islam."
POPULAR SPORT MMA is one of the popular sports among young generation in Afghanistan, and many Afghan MMA players plaid inside and outside of Afghanistan.
Competitions were effectively outlawed in 2021 when the Taliban introduced legislation prohibiting "face-punching".
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