Libya’s religious authority rules against Nike-logo clothing

Libya’s Tripoli-based Dar al-Ifta has issued a fatwa prohibiting Muslims from buying, selling or wearing clothing bearing Nike’s logo. Grand Mufti Sadiq al-Gharyani approved the ruling, the BBC said. A fatwa is a religious opinion on Islamic law; this one announces no state ban on Nike products and specifies no penalties for people who continue to buy or wear them.

Dar al-Ifta is an influential religious institution in western Libya. Its rulings can carry considerable social influence, but they are not necessarily government orders or legally enforceable. Libya has rival authorities and institutions in its east and west after years of conflict following the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The institution’s reasons

Dar al-Ifta said Nike was named after the Greek goddess of victory and that its swoosh logo was inspired by her wings. It argued that displaying the logo promoted symbols associated with polytheism—the worship of more than one god.

The institution’s religious committee separately accused Nike of supporting Israel and called for a boycott of companies that back the country. The ruling referred to a statement issued by Dar al-Ifta’s Council for Research and Sharia Studies on 5 November 2023, urging Muslims to boycott Western companies it considered supportive of Israel during the war in Gaza.

In 2025, Dar al-Ifta ruled against wearing jewelry and watches bearing the Van Cleef & Arpels logo. It argued that the luxury jeweler’s four-leaf clover design was associated with Christian beliefs and the pursuit of good luck, which it said contradicted Islamic teachings.

Nike products in Libya

Nike does not operate an official store in Libya, but local sportswear retailers sell Nike-branded products. Nike clothing is popular in the country, although many products are counterfeit. The BBC has asked Nike for comment.