Why Has MMA Been Banned?
Officially forbidden by Afghanistan’s Taliban administration as incompatible with Islamic law, mixed martial arts (MMA) is Passed down by the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice; the ruling has rocked the country’s fast-expanding MMA community.
What Makes MMA Incompatible with Sharia?
An official from the Taliban’s sports authority clarified the ban’s justification by pointing out that MMA was seen as excessively violent and so inappropriate under Islamic law as it presented a significant danger of death. The ruling resulted from research on the sport’s Sharia legal conformity.
General Directorate on Physical Education and Sport of the Taliban expanded on the matter:
“It was discovered that the sport is problematic about Sharia and has numerous features which contravene Islamic doctrine. That is the reason this choice has been made
How Popular Was MMA in Afghanistan?
MMA has become very popular among Afghanistan’s younger population. Over the two decades before the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the sport attracted a fervent local following. Founded in 2008, the Mixed Martial Arts Federation of Afghanistan hosted several events throughout this period, including the Afghanistan Fighting Championship (AFC) and the Truly Grand Fighting Championship (TGFC).
The prohibition is a significant setback to the once-thriving sport. Though it was not officially mentioned in past decrees, MMA has come under more and more criticism since the Taliban’s takeover.
What Early Restrictions and Harassment Did Fighters Face?
The Taliban had already been veering toward limiting MMA. When the government passed laws prohibiting “face-punching” in sports, contests were essentially banned in 2021. Furthermore, some fighters claimed to be harassed and threatened by Taliban leaders. Published in magazines connected to MMA, interviews exposed the challenging circumstances in which fighters sought to keep the sport alive.
What Challenges Did Fighters Encounter?
One warrior described his story, wanting to remain anonymous because of safety issues: “Training and competition presented challenges. We encountered dangers; the new legislation made it almost hard for us to keep on.”
Notwithstanding these difficulties, there were times when it seemed the authorities were wavering in their posture. Leading Afghan MMA athlete Ahmad Wali Hotak announced an impending event during a press conference in Kabul in 2022, which he subsequently won in Russia. Hotak was greeted by government officials when he returned to Afghanistan, who posed for pictures with him. Still, this represented more of an exception than the rule.
Why Did Many Competitors Leave Afghanistan?
Many MMA athletes decided to leave Afghanistan long before this most recent declaration due to growing limitations. The present prohibition confirms the challenges for those who still participate, concluding the sport in the nation.
How Is MMA Recognized on the International Stage?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not yet approved MMA, primarily because of safety issues related to the sport. Still, Afghan martial artists have been on the world scene. Four of the eleven Afghans who competed in the Paris Games—on the national squad or the Refugee Olympic team—had martial arts backgrounds.
What Does the Future Hold for MMA in Afghanistan?
The prohibition on mixed martial arts in Afghanistan emphasizes the Taliban’s ongoing attempts to transform Afghan culture strictly Islamically. Sports like MMA hang in the balance as the nation struggles with this new reality, leaving supporters and players unsure about the course of athletics in Afghanistan.
