Saudi Arabia’s highest Islamic cleric bans chess

Saudi Arabia’s highest religious cleric has declared chess “haram”, meaning it is forbidden for Muslims, while claiming the game shows “enmity and hatred”.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin-Abdullah al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti, made the proclamation while taking questions during his weekly television show.

“The game of chess is a waste of time and an opportunity to squander money. It causes enmity and hatred between people,” he said, according to a translation by Middle East Eye. 

Abdullah reportedly compared it to a pre-Islamic Arabian game called “maisir” which was forbidden by the Koran.   His fatwa does not constitute a ban in Saudi Arabia as it does not carry the force of law, but it was provoking debate in the country on Thursday. 

Musa Bin Thaily, who presides over the Saudi Chess Association’s law committee, said the planned chess tournament in Mecca would be going ahead on Friday. Pointing out that the Grand Mufti’s proclamation is old, with a YouTube video showing it put online last month, he referenced a previous fatwa that banned chess being used for profit, gambling or interrupting prayers and other religious duties.