Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti calls chess ‘waste of time’ that promotes gambling

Chess could soon take on the status of minor vices, which include music, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Recently, Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti—the kingdom’s top religious cleric—outlawed the centuries-old game, calling it a waste of time that encourages gambling, The Middle East Eye reported.

Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah was on his weekly television show, answering viewers’ questions on daily religious matters when the subject of chess playing came up. According to the news outlet, the grand mufti said chess is forbidden for Muslims because it’s “an opportunity to squander money.”

“The game of chess is a waste of time and an opportunity to squander money. It causes enmity and hatred between people,” Abdullah said in the video clip that was posted two years ago, according to the report.