Libya’s Dar al-IFTA has issued a fatwa against buying, selling or wearing clothing bearing Nike’s logo, arguing that the brand is named after the Greek goddess of victory and that its swoosh is inspired by her wings. The institution said displaying the logo promotes symbols associated with polytheism. The ruling was approved by Grand Mufti Sadiq al-Gharyani.
The religious committee also accused Nike of supporting Israel and called for a boycott of companies it considers supportive of the country. It cited a statement from the Dar al-Ifta’s Council for Research and Sharia Studies, issued on 5 November 2023, which urged Muslims to boycott Western companies over the war in Gaza. The BBC said it had contacted Nike for comment.
The fatwa does not announce a government ban on Nike products or set out penalties for people who continue to buy or wear them. The Dar al-Ifta is an influential religious institution based in Tripoli, but its rulings are not necessarily government orders or legally enforceable. Libya remains politically divided, with rival authorities and institutions in the east and west.
The institution issued a similar ruling last year against jewellery and watches bearing the Van Cleef & Arpels logo, arguing that its four-leaf clover design was linked to Christian beliefs and the pursuit of good luck. Social media responses to the Nike ruling were mixed, with some welcoming it and others questioning its significance.
Nike does not have an official store in Libya, though Nike-branded products are sold by local sportswear retailers. The source also notes that counterfeit versions of popular sportswear brands are sold in local markets.
Sources: BBC News World.