The fatwa explicitly bars Muslims from purchasing, trading, or wearing apparel that bears the athletic company's prominent emblem. Clerics tied the decision to a November 2023 campaign encouraging boycotts against Western corporations linked to Israel. Although Nike operates no direct retail locations in Libya, genuine products and knockoffs remain widely distributed across municipal markets and independent clothing shops. This decree arrives amid a wider conservative push that saw authorities across Libya curb rap music, dance, and theater events in 2025.
Key points
The fatwa acts as an advisory religious guideline that does not carry legal penalties or…: The fatwa acts as an advisory religious guideline that does not carry legal penalties or state-enforced prohibitions.
Dar al-Ifta previously enacted similar rulings against luxury brands, including a measure…: Dar al-Ifta previously enacted similar rulings against luxury brands, including a measure addressing symbols used by Van Cleef & Arpels.
The prohibition highlights an expanding conservative trend that previously targeted theat…: The prohibition highlights an expanding conservative trend that previously targeted theatrical performances, rap music, and public dance.
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Libya's highest religious authority, the Dar al-Ifta, has issued a ruling banning Muslims from buying, selling or wearing clothing bearing the Nike logo.
The ruling, issued by the Tripoli-based institution, states that the US sportswear giant was named after the Greek goddess of victory and that its famous swoosh logo was inspired by her wings.
It argued that wearing clothing displaying the logo amounted to promoting symbols associated "with polytheism," or 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 committee 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 5 November 2023, urging 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…
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