Sourced fact
The News
Dar al-Ifta of Libya, the country's highest religious authority based in Tripoli, issued a fatwa prohibiting Muslims from buying, selling, or wearing clothing bearing the logo of the American company Nike. This body is an influential religious institution in western Libya, while the country suffers from political division with rival authorities in the east and west since the fall of Gaddafi in 2011.
According to the religious text issued by Dar al-Ifta, the company's name, derived from the Greek goddess of victory, and its famous logo design, which draws inspiration from her wings, are linked to polytheism, making wearing them an act of glorifying pagan symbols. The Dar also accused the company of supporting Israel and called for boycotting Western companies that support the Jewish state, citing a previous statement issued in November 2023 regarding these companies' support for the conflict in Gaza.
Officials from Dar al-Ifta stated that the fatwa does not announce an official state ban on the products nor imposes specific penalties on those who continue to buy or wear the prohibited clothing. This step is considered a continuation of the institution's previous stance, having previously issued a fatwa against watches and handbags bearing the logos of the French brand Van Cleef & Arpels due to their design's connection to Christian beliefs.
Responses on social media varied between those who welcomed the decision and those who considered it amusing or distracting from more pressing issues, especially amidst widespread discussions about the rise of conservative religiosity in Libyan public life. Last year, eastern Libyan authorities announced restrictions on music, theater, and dance before later expanding them to the west, while Dar al-Ifta had previously issued fatwas against music without clear evidence of its direct involvement in those restrictions.
It should be noted that Nike does not have an official store in Libya, but its products are available through local sports clothing traders who also sell counterfeit versions of famous brands such as Adidas, which is popular in North Africa.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
From an analytical perspective, this ruling reflects a noticeable increase in conservative religious tendencies within Libyan public life, where some institutions seek to impose strict moral and religious standards on society. This decision comes amidst broader discussions about the role of religion in general legislation, especially given recent measures taken by eastern Libyan authorities to restrict music, theater, and dance under the pretext of protecting public values.
In a wider context, decisions by Dar al-Ifta have significant social impact despite not being legally binding government orders, making them an effective tool for shaping public opinion and citizens' daily practices. This trend aligns with global movements encouraging boycotts of foreign brands for religious or political reasons, highlighting how local and regional factors intertwine in shaping religious decision-making.
Furthermore, these decisions show that religious institutions in Libya are attempting to exploit global symbols to affirm a purely Islamic identity and resist what they call "cultural alienation," targeting logos and slogans considered incompatible with their interpretation of Islamic values.
