Taliban Government Bans MMA in Afghanistan, Citing Sharia Law Violations

Afghan Taliban government has imposed a ban on Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), declaring the sport to be un-Islamic. The ban was announced by officials from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Sports through a formal statement.

The decision came after an investigation conducted by the Ministry of Preaching and Guidance, Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Evil, and the Afghan police. The investigation sought to assess the compatibility of MMA with Islamic and Sharia laws.

According to the statement, the investigation found several elements of the sport that were deemed inconsistent with Islamic teachings and Sharia principles. As a result, the government has prohibited the practice and promotion of MMA within Afghanistan.