Cleric goes viral after declaring playing chess is HARAM

“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.

Sheikh justified the ruling by referring to the verse in the Qur’an banning “intoxicants, gambling, idolatry and divination”. It is not clear when the fatwa was delivered.

Abdullah reportedly compared it to a pre-Islamic Arabian game called “maisir” which was forbidden by the Koran.

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Musa Bin Thaily, president of the Saudi Chess Association’s law committee, said a planned chess tournament in Mecca would be going ahead on Friday despite the fatwa. Independent UK reported.

“Many things are said to be illegal and religiously banned in Saudi,” Mr Thaily wrote on Twitter, sharing photos of United Arab Emirates dignitaries at Saudi Chess Association events.

He noted that many religious prohibitions are not enforced in Saudi Arabia, adding that “religious society banned public music festivals but they’re everywhere”.

“The Saudi Chess Association has put great efforts in chess popularity and will continue holding events everywhere unless forced otherwise.”, He added.

It is unlikely that Sheikh’s ruling will be enforced, and more plausible that chess will be relegated to the status of other minor vices, such as music, which many in the clerical establishment frown upon.

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Moreover, since the ruling was in response to a specific question, it was probably meant as an advisory opinion rather than a formal edict. Guardian UK added.

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