Following the bombastic headlines in major newspapers on what seems to be a dated TV interview of Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, the Saudi Chess Association has sent a following statement to FIDE Executive Director.
Greeting from Saudi,
We thank our friends all over the world who showed concern regarding Chess in Saudi. It is worth to mention here that, in general, and for us as muslims, all sports can fall into being religiously illegal once it involve gambling, directing players from religious practice (prayers etc) and of course if they lead to creating haltered between players.
Saudi Chess Association (SCA), is officially recognized by the Saudi Olympic Committee and is a full member of FIDE, Asian Chess Federation as well as Arab Chess Federation. Many local events and seminars are being organized and run as scheduled in all the cities of the Kingdom with increasing number of participants from all ages. Also, SCA is scheduled to take part, once again, in the next World Chess Olympiad as well as other regional and international FIDE events.
More, Saudi Chess Association is currently in the last stages of implementing the Chess in Schools program aiming to widen the grass-roots in exploring the local chess talents.
Many thanks and best regards,
Yaser Al Otaibi
General Secretary
Musa BinThaily, president of law committee at Saudi Chess Association, said that the association had held 70 events in the kingdom. He posted photos of Saudi players at the group’s events, including one that showed members of the group posing with a prince from the United Arab Emirates.
Chess tournament in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (photo by Musa BinThaily)