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Libya’s Dar al-Ifta issued a religious ruling on November 1 prohibiting Muslims from buying selling or wearing clothing bearing the Nike brand. The fatwa numbered 6697 came in response to a query about the permissibility of Nike sportswear given the origins of its name and logo. Dar al-Ifta stated that the ruling aims to uphold Islamic principles while supporting broader calls against companies linked to actions in Gaza. The authority urged adherence as a matter of religious duty and solidarity with Palestinians.
The primary religious objection centers on the brand name Nike which Dar al-Ifta said derives from the Greek goddess of victory. According to the fatwa the company’s swoosh logo was inspired by the wings of that mythological figure as acknowledged in the founder’s memoirs. Displaying such symbols through everyday wear amounts to promoting polytheistic imagery which the committee deemed incompatible with monotheism. Libyan media including Al-Wasat reported that this interpretation formed the core of the prohibition on commercial engagement with the products.
Dar al-Ifta further justified the ban by accusing Nike of supporting Israeli institutions including an organization called Ultimate Peace that brings together Arab and Israeli youth through sports programs. The ruling referenced a November 2023 statement from the body’s Council of Sharia Research and Studies that deemed boycotts of such companies obligatory amid the Gaza conflict. Arabi21 reported that the fatwa called on consumers and traders alike to avoid any dealings with the brand where alternatives exist particularly for non-essential items. This political dimension echoes wider regional campaigns against companies perceived as backing one side in the ongoing hostilities.
The issuing body Tripoli-based Dar al-Ifta serves as Libya’s premier religious institution under Grand Mufti Sadiq Al-Gharyani. Al-Gharyani has issued numerous fatwas on social political and economic matters since assuming the role following the 2011 uprising. Libya Review noted that the mufti’s positions often blend strict theological interpretations with contemporary geopolitical stances influencing public discourse across the divided nation. The latest decision aligns with the authority’s history of addressing everyday consumer choices through an Islamic lens.
Nike the Oregon-based multinational founded in 1971 as a successor to Blue Ribbon Sports officially adopted the name inspired by the same Greek deity according to company histories cited in the fatwa. The Libya Review assessment found the ruling has triggered mixed reactions in Libyan society with supporters praising its defense of faith and resistance while skeptics question whether wearing a global sportswear logo equates to endorsing ancient beliefs. No immediate response from Nike to the Libyan fatwa has been reported in regional coverage though the company has previously defended its neutrality in geopolitical disputes. Similar debates have arisen in other Muslim-majority markets over brand symbolism.
Regional analysts have tracked intensified boycott movements against Western firms since late 2023 with Dar al-Ifta’s 2023 boycott declaration forming part of that wave across North Africa. The fatwa reinforces existing pressures on brands operating in Libya where consumer preferences increasingly reflect political and religious considerations. Libyan outlets such as the Libya Observer reported that the guidance extends beyond individual choice to collective action against entities seen as contributing to regional conflicts.
