Afghanistan’s Taliban government has banned mixed martial arts (MMA), declaring the sport un-Islamic. This decision was announced by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice after an investigation concluded that MMA conflicts with Islamic law.
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The Taliban’s sports authority stated that MMA’s violent nature and the risk of injury or death are among the reasons for the ban. The move aligns with the Taliban’s broader enforcement of a strict interpretation of Islamic law, which includes recent regulations on behavior and dress.
Martial arts remain popular in Afghanistan, with some athletes having represented the country at international events, including the Paris Games. However, MMA’s absence from the Olympics due to safety concerns reflects ongoing debates about the sport’s risks.
