Libya’s top religious authority rules against wearing Nike clothes

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 Mufti, Sadiq al-Gharyani.

The Dar al-Ifta is an influential religious institution based in Tripoli, in western Libya. The country is politically divided, with rival authorities and institutions operating in the east and west after years of conflict following the toppling of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Although its religious rulings can carry considerable social influence, they are not necessarily government orders or legally enforceable.

Last year it ruled against wearing jewellery and watches bearing the logo of French luxury jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels, arguing that its four-leaf clover design was associated with Christian beliefs and the pursuit of good luck, which it said contradicted Islamic teachings.

The latest fatwa does not announce a state ban on Nike products or specify penalties for people who continue to buy or wear them.

Social media reactions were mixed, with some users welcoming the ruling, while others questioned its significance, describing it as ironic or a distraction from more pressing issues.

The ruling comes amid wider debates over 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 subsequently extended to western Libya.

The Dar al-Ifta has also previously issued religious rulings against music, although there is no clear evidence that it was directly involved in the restrictions on performances.

Nike does not operate an official store in Libya, however Nike-branded products are available through local sportswear retailers.

Sportswear brands such as Nike and Adidas are popular across North Africa.

In Libya, as in other countries in the region, counterfeit versions of popular sportswear brands are also sold in local markets.