Why Has Taliban Government Banned Mixed Martial Arts in Afghanistan?

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The Taliban government of Afghanistan has officially banned mixed martial arts (MMA), a move rooted in their belief that the sport is violent and doesn't align with their religion.

The decision, announced by Afghanistan's sports authority, follows an investigation into the sport's compliance with Islamic law, or sharia, by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Taliban's sports authority confirmed the ban, stating, "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."

"That's why this decision has been made to ban mixed martial arts in Afghanistan." The statement further noted that MMA was considered too violent, with risks of injury or even death, contributing to the government's decision.

The ban on MMA comes amidst broader restrictions imposed by the Taliban since their return to power in 2021. The government has enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law, drastically limiting personal freedoms and rights, especially for women.

The UN has criticised these measures, warning they could amount to crimes against humanity. MMA, despite being a relatively new sport in Afghanistan, had gained a significant following among the youth, who saw it as an avenue for both physical and economic advancement.

Afghanistan's MMA community had grown steadily since the sport's governing body was established in 2008, with leagues like the Afghanistan Fighting Championship (AFC) and Truly Grand Fighting Championship (TGFC) gaining popularity.

Notably, four of the eleven Afghans who competed at the recent Paris Olympic Games, either as part of the national team or the Refugee Olympic team, were martial arts athletes. However, MMA's rise in popularity has now been cut short by the Taliban's decree.

The New Law:

The ban on MMA is part of a broader legislative framework ratified by the Taliban, which has seen the formalisation of many rules governing behaviour, dress, and social interactions. The new morality law, comprising 35 articles, was announced by the Ministry of Justice and includes regulations on men's clothing, beard length, and bans on homosexuality, animal fighting, and public music.

Additionally, it prohibits women from speaking in public or showing their faces outside their homes. Earlier this year, the Taliban also reintroduced public flogging and stoning for women accused of adultery, further solidifying their strict legal regime based on their interpretation of Islamic principles.