Libyan Religious Authority Issues Fatwa Against Nike Products

Libya’s highest Islamic authority, the Dar al-Ifta, has issued a religious decree prohibiting Muslims from purchasing, selling, or wearing apparel manufactured by the American sportswear corporation Nike. The Tripoli-based body announced that the brand’s name and logo violate Islamic principles regarding polytheism, while also citing the company's alleged support for Israel.

According to the ruling approved by Libya's Grand Mufti, Sadiq al-Gharyani, the manufacturer derives its name from the ancient Greek goddess of victory, and its trademark represents her wings. The Council for Research and Sharia Studies, an arm of the authority, asserted that displaying such symbols promotes polytheistic imagery. Additionally, the body reiterated a directive from November 2023 calling for a commercial boycott of Western firms perceived to back Israel during the conflict in Gaza.

The decree, known as a fatwa, functions as an advisory religious opinion rather than a legally binding state measure. Libyan state authorities have not enacted an official prohibition on the distribution of Nike products, nor have they instituted legal penalties for individuals who choose to wear the brand. Nike does not operate direct flagship stores within Libya, though its products and various counterfeit versions are widely distributed through independent local retailers across North Africa.

The action against Nike follows similar religious opinions issued by the Tripoli institution in recent years. Previously, the Dar al-Ifta targeted the French luxury jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, declaring that its four-leaf clover motif contradicted Islamic doctrine due to its associations with Christian symbolism and concepts of luck.

The latest ruling coincides with a broader expansion of public moral regulations across politically divided Libya. In 2025, authorities in the eastern region introduced restrictions on rap music, theatrical plays, and dance performances, citing public morality and religious values. Those measures were subsequently adopted in western Libya, where rival administrative bodies continue to operate following years of institutional fragmentation since 2011.

Written by Andreas Hofer andreas.hofer@alpineweekly.com