OMM Newsroom
Libya’s highest religious authority, Dar al-Ifta, has ruled that Muslims should not buy, sell or wear clothing bearing the “Nike” logo, according to the BBC.
The Tripoli-based institution said the US sportswear company was named after the Greek goddess of victory and that its swoosh logo was inspired by her wings. It argued that wearing the logo promotes 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 goddess of the same name.
The religious committee also accused “Nike” of supporting Israel and called for a boycott of companies backing the country. It cited a statement by the Council for Research and Sharia Studies, issued on 5 November 2023, that 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 BBC said it had contacted “Nike” for comment.
Ruling is not a state ban
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 2011 toppling of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Its religious rulings can carry considerable social influence, but 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 people who continue to buy or wear them.
Last year, Dar al-Ifta ruled against wearing jewellery and watches bearing the logo of French luxury jewellery house “Van Cleef & Arpels”. It argued that the brand’s four-leaf clover design was associated with Christian beliefs and the pursuit of good luck, which it said contradicted Islamic teachings.
Social media reactions to the latest ruling were mixed. Some users welcomed it, while others questioned its significance and described it as ironic or a distraction from more pressing issues.
Restrictions on performances extended to western Libya
The fatwa comes amid wider debate about 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.
Dar al-Ifta has previously issued religious rulings against music, although there is no clear evidence that it was directly involved in the performance restrictions.
“Nike” does not operate an official store in Libya, but its products are sold through local sportswear retailers. Sportswear brands such as “Nike” and “Adidas” are popular across North Africa, where counterfeit versions of popular brands are also sold in local markets.
