Now Saudi Arabia bans CHESS: Top Muslim cleric outlaws game because it is 'a waste of time and encourages gambling'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3410448/Now-Saudi-Arabia-bans-CHESS-Muslim-cleric-outlaws-game-waste-time-encourages-gambling.html?ito=social-facebook

Saudi Arabia's top religious cleric has ruled that chess is forbidden for Muslims because it is a 'waste of time' and promotes gambling.

Grand mufti Abdul Aziz bin-Abdullah issued the fatwa ahead of a major chess tournament in Mecca tomorrow.

He said the game was 'an opportunity to squander money' and fell under the category of gambling which is banned in the Qu'ran.

He added: 'The game of chess is a waste of time... it causes enmity and hatred between people.'

Abdullah made the declaration while answering questions from viewers on his weekly show With His Eminence The Mufti, it was reported by The Middle East Eye.

Muslims often follow personal religious guidance given by senior clerics, but their declarations are not legally binding.

Musa Bin Thaily, president of the law committee at the Saudi Chess Association, said a tournament would go ahead as planned tomorrow despite the fatwa, which he said was issued last month.

Sounds like your ideal version of Freeeeedom, FD. The clerics have the Freeeedom to ban things, and their subjects have the Freeeedom to carry on.

Everybody happy, yes?

Nice one, Islam, continuing on the patch of human de-evolution.

Chess is for smart people. Muzzies should stick to rape and beheading.

If he tried to ban backgammon, he’d have a fight on his hands. Backgammon is for Arabs. Turks go for dominoes. The Persians play chess.

It is a jolly world, no?

Big Donger wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2016 at 11:32am:

If he tried to ban backgammon, he’d have a fight on his hands. Backgammon is for Arabs. Turks go for dominoes. The Persians play chess. It is a jolly world, no?

Do you think the intent of the ban is to give the middle finger to persia(ns)?

Carnal's eyes lit up. S/he thought the story was about banning 'cheese'.

... wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2016 at 1:00pm:

Big Donger wrote on Jan 23rd, 2016 at 11:32am: If he tried to ban backgammon, he’d have a fight on his hands. Backgammon is for Arabs. Turks go for dominoes. The Persians play chess. It is a jolly world, no? Do you think the intent of the ban is to give the middle finger to persia(ns)?

Not really. Chess was invented by Persians, but I think this cleric is just being an old spoil-sport.

The Russians seem to dominate chess these days.

double plus good wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2016 at 1:13pm:

Carnal's eyes lit up. S/he thought the story was about banning 'cheese'.

Miam miam.

How ridiculous - banning an intellectual game.

Religion is evil.