Photo credit, AFP via Getty Images
Libya's highest religious authority, 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 American sportswear giant takes its name from the Greek goddess of victory and that its famous comma logo is inspired by her wings.
She argued that wearing clothing displaying this logo amounted to promoting symbols associated with “polytheism”, or the worship of several gods.
Libya is home to the ancient Greek city of Cyrene, where archaeological remains can be found, including a statue of the Greek goddess of the same name.
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The religious committee also accused Nike of supporting Israel and called for a boycott of companies that support that country.
She was referring to a statement issued by its Sharia Research and Studies Council on November 5, 2023, urging Muslims to boycott Western companies that it views as supporting Israel during the Gaza war.
This decision, called a fatwa, is a religious opinion on a question of Islamic law. It was approved by the Grand Mufti of Libya, Sadiq al-Gharyani.
The BBC has contacted Nike for comment.
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Dar al-Ifta is an influential religious institution based in Tripoli, western Libya. The country is politically divided, with rival authorities and institutions operating in the east and west after years of conflict following the fall of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Although its religious precepts may have considerable social influence, they do not necessarily constitute governmental orders nor are they legally binding.
Last year, she ruled against wearing jewelry and watches bearing the logo of French luxury jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, arguing that its four-leaf clover motif was associated with Christian beliefs and the pursuit of luck, which she 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.
Reactions on social media were mixed: some users welcomed the decision, while others questioned its significance, calling it ironic or a distraction from more pressing issues.
The move comes amid broader debates over the rise of religious conservatism in Libyan public life.
In 2025, authorities in eastern Libya announced restrictions on rap music, theater and dance performances, citing concerns that some lyrics and performances could violate public morals and Islamic values.
These measures were later extended to western Libya.
The Dar al-Ifta has also previously issued religious advisories against the music, although there is no clear evidence of its direct involvement in restrictions on performances.
Nike does not have an official store in Libya, but its products are available at local sportswear retailers.
Sportswear brands such as Nike and Adidas are popular across North Africa.
In Libya, as in other countries in the region, counterfeits of popular sportswear brands are also sold in local markets.
We used AI to help translate this article, originally written in English. A BBC journalist checked the translation before publication. Learn more about how we use AI.
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