Libya’s Top Islamic Authority Bans Muslims From Buying, Selling Or Wearing Nike-Branded Clothing
Libya’s Top Islamic Authority Bans Muslims From Buying, Selling Or Wearing Nike-Branded Clothing
It argued that wearing clothing with the logo amounts to promoting symbols associated “with polytheism,” the worship of more than one god.
Libya’s highest religious authority, the Dar al-Ifta, has issued a ruling barring Muslims from buying, selling or wearing clothing bearing the Nike logo.
The ruling, issued by the Tripoli-based institution, said the American sportswear giant was named after the Greek goddess of victory and that its famous swoosh logo was inspired by her wings, BBC reports.
It argued that wearing clothing with the logo amounts to promoting symbols associated “with polytheism,” the worship of more than one god.
Libya is home to the ancient Greek city of Cyrene, where archaeological remains include a statue of the Greek goddess of the same name.
The religious body also accused Nike of supporting Israel and called for a boycott of companies that back the country.
It referred to a statement issued by its Council for Research and Sharia Studies on November 5, 2023, which urged Muslims to boycott Western companies it considers supportive of Israel during the war in Gaza.
The ruling, known as a fatwa, is a religious opinion on a matter of Islamic law. It was approved by Libya’s Grand Mufti, Sadiq al-Gharyani.
The Dar al-Ifta is an influential religious institution based in Tripoli, in western Libya. The country remains politically divided, with rival authorities and institutions operating in the east and west after years of conflict following the toppling of long-time leader, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011.
Although its rulings can carry considerable social influence, they are not necessarily government orders or legally enforceable. The latest fatwa does not announce a state ban on Nike products or specify penalties for those who continue to buy or wear them.
Last year, the body ruled against wearing jewellery and watches bearing the logo of French luxury jewellery house, Van Cleef & Arpels, arguing that its four-leaf clover design was associated with Christian beliefs and the pursuit of good luck, which it said contradicted Islamic teachings.
Reactions on social media were mixed, with some users welcoming the ruling, while others questioned its significance, describing it as ironic or a distraction from more pressing issues.
The ruling comes amid wider debates over the rise of religious conservatism in public life in Libya.
In 2025, authorities in eastern Libya announced restrictions on rap music, theatre and dance performances, citing concerns that some lyrics and performances violated public morals and Islamic values. The measures were later extended to western Libya.
The Dar al-Ifta has also previously issued rulings against music, although there is no clear evidence that it was directly involved in the restrictions on performances.
