The negative view long attached to the game of dominoes is considered no longer relevant to the modern era. Executive Director of the Philo Sufi Institute, T. Muhammad Jafar Sulaiman, stated that dominoes is a folk cultural heritage that holds high social value and requires strong cognitive abilities to play.
According to Jafar, automatically equating dominoes with gambling practices is a major mistake. He emphasized that as long as the game does not involve monetary bets, is not accompanied by liquor consumption, and does not lead to neglecting religious obligations, dominoes is merely a form of entertainment that strengthens brotherhood and social ties among individuals.
More than just a pastime to fill free time, dominoes demands mathematical intelligence, the ability to read probabilities, and mature strategic planning. In practice, players must be able to calculate the opponent's remaining tiles and precisely control their emotions. Therefore, the step to transform dominoes into an official branch of sport through the Indonesian Domino Sports Association (PORDI) is considered a progressive move that deserves appreciation.
Support for dominoes' status as a sport is also reinforced by a fatwa from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). Under Sharia law, the MUI provides space for this game as long as it remains within ethical corridors and does not fall into elements of sinfulness. This transformation is expected to elevate the status of the popular game to a more measured, competitive, and achievement-oriented level.
From a psychological perspective, Jafar added that dominoes serves as an effective means of relaxation to unwind life's pressures. Through social interaction at the game table, the community can build a healthy space for togetherness. With structured management as a sport, people now have the opportunity to channel their talents and logical thinking in a dignified competition.
