CHECKMATE

The mufti of madness is at it again in Saudi Arabia. Yes, I’m talking about the same leader of religious clerics that educated Osama bin Laden, helped finance the September 11th hijackers and continue to inspire the sadistic soldiers of ISIL and other peddlers of human depravity. The muftis target this time: the game of Chess, a game that for many in Muslim culture is what Monopoly© is to Americans.

Never mind that the game of Chess came to prominence in 7th Century Persia, now the country of Iran, and spread across the entire Muslim world when Islamists conquered Persia during the middle part of that century. And never mind that over the past 1400 years, millions of Muslims have relaxed over Chess boards while smoking hookahs and sipping tea. For Saudi Arabia’s current Grand Mufti, Abdul Aziz al Sheikh, that history means nothing. The Grand Mufti has issued a fatwa (a Muslim religious edict) declaring the game of Chess to be the work of Satan and off-limits to those faithful to Allah. Just like that, a local peaceful pastime is flushed down the drain.

I have to wonder whether the blood-feud between the Shiites of Iran and the Sunnis of Saudi Arabia had something to do with the Grand Mufti’s sudden fatwa on Chess. After all, since Chess is viewed as coming to prominence out of Persia (Iran), there is a certain religious logic to the Mufti’s decision to label a game coming from Iran as apostate. It’s twisted logic to be sure, but at least it does provide an explanation that seems to make sense. Plus, the Mufti Sheikh is always preaching bloodshed. The game of Chess never draws a drop, so there’s that to consider.

I wonder if there’s a Muslim version of the game Monopoly©. If there is, expect that it will soon be banned, too.