Businessupdated 26m ago2 min read
MapLibya’s Dar Al-Ifta Bans Nike Clothing, Citing Greek Goddess Name and Logo
“Analysts suggest that this ruling contains political assertions in addition to religious matters.”
“The body also alleged that Nike supports Israel and called for a boycott of companies backing the country.”
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Libyan Dar al-Ifta issued fatwa banning buying, selling, wearing Nike-branded clothing. Nike logo linked to Greek goddess; fatwa cites polytheism; Grand Mufti approved.
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Fatwa Targets Nike
Dar al-Ifta issued a fatwa in Libya that prohibited Muslims from buying, selling and wearing clothing bearing the Nike logo, arguing that the brand name Nike derives from Nike, the goddess of victory in Greek mythology. Sadiq al-Ghariani approved the decision as Libya’s grand mufti, and Dar al-Ifta said the swoosh logo was inspired by the wings of the goddess.
Dar al-Ifta concluded that using products carrying the logo amounts to spreading a symbol representing a deity of ancient Greek mythology and that Islam prohibits polytheism, the worship of multiple gods. Dar al-Ifta also accused Nike of supporting Israel and called for a boycott of companies backing the country, while the ruling offered no specific evidence to support the allegation.
No Legal Penalties
Dar al-Ifta’s ruling carried no legal force, and the Seoul Economic Daily said it was a religious recommendation and judgment that carries no legal force but wields considerable influence in Libyan society. The SBS 뉴스 report said the fatwa is a judgment on Islamic law, which differs in nature from Libyan government laws, and it added that individuals will not face legal punishment even if they do not follow the ruling.
The Seoul Economic Daily reported that no nationwide sales ban on Nike products or rules punishing those who wear such clothing had been announced so far. The SBS 뉴스 report said the decision could affect sales and purchasing activities and was expected to deal a blow to Nike's revenue.
Broader Religious Conservatism
Dar al-Ifta’s Nike fatwa revived attention on Libya’s ancient Greek heritage, and the Greek City Times said the ruling revived attention on Libya’s ancient Greek heritage. The Greek City Times reported that Libya remains politically divided with rival authorities and institutions operating in the country’s east and west following the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The Seoul Economic Daily said the controversy coincides with a broader turn toward religious conservatism in Libya, and it cited 2025 restrictions in eastern Libya on some rap music, theater and dance performances. The SBS 뉴스 report said Dar al-Ifta had also issued a wearing ban last year (2025) against Van Cleef & Arpels over its four-leaf clover design, which the authority argued was related to Christian beliefs about luck and did not align with Islamic teachings.