Libya’s Islamic Authority Bars Muslims From Buying, Selling Nike Products

Libya’s Dar al-Ifta, the country’s highest Islamic religious authority, has issued a fatwa, an Islamic religious ruling or legal opinion based on Islamic law, prohibiting Muslims from buying, selling or wearing clothing and other products bearing the Nike brand.

The ruling was approved by Libya’s Grand Mufti, Sadiq al-Gharyani, following a question about the meaning of the Nike name and the religious implications of wearing products bearing the brand.

In the fatwa, numbered 6697, the authority said the name Nike originated from Greek mythology, where it refers to the goddess of victory.

It also claimed that the company’s familiar swoosh logo was inspired by the wings of the Greek goddess, arguing that wearing products bearing the name and symbol amounts to promoting imagery associated with polytheism.

The authority further accused Nike of supporting Israel and cited an earlier statement by its Council for Research and Sharia Studies, issued in November 2023, which called for Muslims to boycott companies it considers supportive of Israel.

The council had urged Muslim traders and consumers to stop buying and selling products from such companies, particularly goods considered non-essential.

The latest ruling consequently called on Muslims to stop wearing Nike products and refrain from buying or selling them.

The ruling is a religious opinion and does not amount to a government-imposed ban on Nike products in Libya. It also does not specify legal penalties for people who continue to trade in or wear the brand.

The decision comes amid wider calls by the Tripoli-based religious authority for boycotts of companies it considers supportive of Israel.