Libya’s top Islamic authority bans Muslims from wearing Nike products

Libya’s highest Islamic religious authority, Dar al-Ifta, has issued a fatwa prohibiting Muslims from purchasing, selling or wearing clothing and other products carrying the Nike brand.

The religious ruling was approved by Libya’s Grand Mufti, Sadiq al-Gharyani, following an inquiry into the origin of the Nike name and the religious implications of using products bearing the company’s branding.

In fatwa number 6697, the authority explained that the name Nike was derived from Greek mythology, where it represents the goddess of victory.

It further argued that the company’s widely recognised swoosh logo was modelled after the wings of the Greek goddess, claiming that wearing items bearing the name and symbol amounted to promoting imagery linked to polytheistic beliefs.

Dar al-Ifta also accused the sportswear manufacturer of supporting Israel, referring to an earlier position taken by its Council for Research and Sharia Studies in November 2023.

The council had called on Muslims to boycott companies regarded as supporters of Israel, urging traders and consumers to discontinue the purchase and sale of their products, particularly items considered non-essential.

Based on these positions, the latest fatwa urged Muslims to avoid wearing Nike-branded products and refrain from engaging in their purchase or sale.

However, the ruling represents a religious opinion rather than a government-enforced prohibition on Nike products in Libya. It also makes no provision for legal sanctions against individuals who continue to wear or trade in the brand.