Following the Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery scandal, a fatwa has been issued against Nike in Libya

Libyan religious leaders have issued a fatwa stating that wearing clothing bearing the Nike logo is ‘unlawful under Islamic law’, arguing that the brand’s name and logo symbolise polytheism and that the company supports Israel. In response to a question regarding the permissibility of wearing Nike clothing, the Fatwa Office stated that the word ‘Nike’ means ‘goddess of victory’ in Greek, noting that the company itself acknowledges that its logo is a curved symbol inspired by the wings of the goddess of victory in Greek mythology.

The religious authority has stated that purchasing items bearing the logo for the purpose of wearing and displaying them is tantamount to promoting symbols associated with polytheism, which it considers to be prohibited under Islamic law. It also described Nike as a company that supports Israel, emphasising the obligation to boycott companies that provide such support. It cited a statement dated 5 November 2023 from its Council for Sharia Research and Studies, which called for a boycott of countries and companies that support Zionism in its offensive against Gaza.

The fatwa reiterated that Muslims must refrain from wearing Nike-branded clothing or from buying and selling its products, describing the boycott as an expression of pride in their religion and of solidarity with their fellow believers.

Despite the attention the decision has attracted, the fatwa should not be confused with a government ban. The religious ruling is influential but does not have the force of Libyan law, and no penalties have been announced for those who continue to buy or wear Nike, according to reports in the local press.

This is not the first time that Dar al-Ifta has criticised a major fashion brand. The authority had previously spoken out against certain Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery pieces because of the symbolism it associated with the company’s four-leaf clover design. The latest ruling now places one of the world’s best-known sports logos at the centre of a debate on religion, symbolism and branding.