The Taliban government in Afghanistan has banned the combat sport MMA, DPA reported, quoted by Dariknews.bg, citing a statement from the official media in the TOLO country.
Ahmadullah Wasik, head of the Taliban Ministry of Physical Education and Sports, said that the so-called moral police have banned the sport due to its violent nature and risk of fatal injury.
Last week, the Taliban adopted the so-called Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Act, which was criticized by the United Nations Diplomatic Mission in Afghanistan. The new rules, among other things, impose dress and behavior rules for both men and women.
The Taliban government defended the innovation as a reflection of Islamic values and principles. Yesterday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed the UN mission's concerns as groundless.
"It is the responsibility of every Muslim and Islamic government to promote good and deter evil," Mujahid said. He urged non-Muslims to understand Islamic values before objecting.
The UN diplomatic mission in Afghanistan called the law a “disturbing vision for the future of Afghanistan”. According to the mission, the law imposes strict restrictions on personal conduct, particularly affecting women and girls, and also gives the morality police broad powers.