The Dar al-Ifta argued that wearing clothing displaying the logo amounted to promoting symbols associated with polytheism, or the worship of more than one god.
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, according to the BBC. The ruling 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.
The Dar al-Ifta argued that wearing clothing displaying the logo amounted to promoting symbols associated with polytheism, or the worship of more than one god. The religious committee also accused Nike of supporting Israel and called for a boycott of companies that back the country. The ruling, known as a fatwa, is a religious opinion on a matter of Islamic law and was approved by Libya's Grand Mufti, Sadiq al-Gharyani.
Although the fatwa is not necessarily a government order or legally enforceable, it can carry considerable social influence. The Dar al-Ifta has previously issued religious rulings against music and last year ruled against wearing jewellery and watches bearing the logo of French luxury jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels. 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. 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, and in Libya, as in other countries in the region, counterfeit versions of popular sportswear brands are also sold in local markets. The impact of the fatwa on the sportswear market in Libya remains to be assessed, but it is likely to spark further debate over the role of religion in public life.
