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Nike faces religious ban in Libya because it was named after Greek goddess

Libya's top Islamic authority, Dar al-Ifta, has ruled that Nike products are forbidden for Muslims to buy, sell or wear, citing the brand's name and logo association with the ancient Greek goddess of victory, Nike. The fatwa, approved by Grand Mufti Sadiq al-Gharyani, claims the company's name and swoosh logo contradict Islamic principles. This has led to calls for a boycott of Nike products in Libya.

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  • ✓ Libya's highest Islamic religious authority, Dar al-Ifta, issued a ruling prohibiting Muslims from buying, selling or wearing Nike products.
  • ✓ The ban cites Nike's name and logo association with the ancient Greek goddess of victory, Nike.
  • ✓ The ruling was approved by Grand Mufti Sadiq al-Gharyani.
  • ✓ The swoosh logo was inspired by the goddess's wings, according to Dar al-Ifta.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 10 independent reporting domains (85% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

The Dar al-Ifta's ruling, issued on November 1, marks a formal ban on Nike products in Libya, escalating from a warning or advisory to a binding religious edict.

Live updates

  1. Libya issues fatwa banning Nike over Greek goddess name

    Libya's top Islamic authority, Dar al-Ifta, has ruled that Nike products are forbidden for Muslims to buy, sell or wear, citing the brand's name and logo association with the ancient Greek goddess of victory, Nike. The fatwa, approved by Grand Mufti Sadiq al-Gharyani, claims the company's name and swoosh logo contradict Islamic principles. This has led to calls for a boycott of Nike products in Libya.

    Why it matters

    The ruling highlights the intersection of faith and global branding, where multinational companies must navigate diverse cultural and religious sensitivities. Libyan authorities have previously issued similar rulings against other brands, such as Van Cleef. The fatwa reflects the influence of Islamic law in Libya and the country's conservative stance on religious matters.

    What is confirmed

    • Libya's highest Islamic religious authority, Dar al-Ifta, issued a ruling prohibiting Muslims from buying, selling or wearing Nike products.
    • The ban cites Nike's name and logo association with the ancient Greek goddess of victory, Nike.
    • The ruling was approved by Grand Mufti Sadiq al-Gharyani.
    • The swoosh logo was inspired by the goddess's wings, according to Dar al-Ifta.

    Still unconfirmed

    • A similar fatwa was issued against Van Cleef.

    What to watch next

    • Nike's official response to the fatwa
    • Libyan market reactions and potential economic impacts
    • International responses to the ban, particularly from human rights and free speech organizations
    Sources used for this update (9)
    1. www.bbc.com — BBC Home - Breaking News, World News, US News, Sports, Business...
    2. BBC — Nike faces religious ban in Libya because it was named after Greek goddess
    3. The Telegraph — Fatwa issued against Nike for ‘promoting polytheism’
    4. New York Post — Nike slapped with Islamic fatwa for ‘promoting polytheism’ via Greek goddess symbol
    5. Firstpost — 'Muslims Should Boycott Nike': Libya's Top Religious Authority Issues a Fatwa | Firstpost Africa
    6. Inshorts — Why has a fatwa banned Libyans from wearing Nike? | Similar fatwa was issued against Van Cleef | Inshorts
    7. www.bbc.co.uk — Libya's top religious authority rules against wearing Nike clothes - BBC
    8. GreekReporter.com — Nike Faces Religious Ban in Libya for Being Named After ...
    9. users.sch.gr — Nike Faces Religious Ban in Libya for Being Named After ...
    confidence 85%
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