- The Taliban will prohibit the practice of martial arts.
Islamabad (dpa) – The religious Taliban in Afghanistan have prohibited the intense combat sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). The moral enforcement team has outlawed the activity due to its aggressive nature and potential lethal consequences, as declared by Ahmadullah Wasik, the head of physical education and sports in Afghanistan, to news channel Tolo News.
Previously, the administration had approved the so-called Morality and Immorality Prevention Law. This legislation dictates attire codes and conduct regulations for both males and females.
In accordance with the law, women must conceal their face and body in the company of unrelated men. Women's voices are considered private, and they are also forbidden from singing, loudly reading, or reciting in public. The law specifies certain hairstyle and trousers lengths for men.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) criticized the law. The Taliban's regulations significantly limit people and strengthen the moral police, as per a statement.
The Taliban justify the recently implemented morality law as a representation of Islamic values and beliefs. A Taliban representative dismissed the UNAMA's objections as unjustified: "It is the duty of every Muslim and every Islamic government to promote goodness and prohibit wickedness," he asserted.
MMA is a widely appreciated combat sport among the youth in Afghanistan. MMA competitors incorporate techniques from various sports including boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and judo.
The prohibition of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) by the Taliban in Afghanistan has led to disappointment among its youth enthusiasts. Despite being a widely appreciated combat sport, MMA does not align with the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic sports, as outlined by their religious leaders.
