Libya’s Islamic Authority Bars Muslims From Buying, Selling Nike Products

Libya’s Dar al-Ifta, the nation’s highest Islamic non secular authority, has issued a fatwa, an Islamic non secular ruling or authorized opinion primarily based on Islamic legislation, prohibiting Muslims from shopping for, promoting or carrying clothes and different merchandise bearing the Nike model.

The ruling was permitted by Libya’s Grand Mufti, Sadiq al-Gharyani, following a query in regards to the that means of the Nike title and the non secular implications of carrying merchandise bearing the model.

In the fatwa, numbered 6697, the authority stated the title Nike originated from Greek mythology, the place it refers back to the goddess of victory.

It additionally claimed that the corporate’s acquainted swoosh brand was impressed by the wings of the Greek goddess, arguing that carrying merchandise bearing the title and image quantities to selling imagery related to polytheism.

The authority additional accused Nike of supporting Israel and cited an earlier assertion by its Council for Research and Sharia Studies, issued in November 2023, which known as for Muslims to boycott firms it considers supportive of Israel.

The council had urged Muslim merchants and shoppers to cease shopping for and promoting merchandise from such firms, notably items thought-about non-essential.

The newest ruling consequently known as on Muslims to cease carrying Nike merchandise and chorus from shopping for or promoting them.

The ruling is a non secular opinion and doesn’t quantity to a government-imposed ban on Nike merchandise in Libya. It additionally doesn’t specify authorized penalties for individuals who proceed to commerce in or put on the model.

The determination comes amid wider calls by the Tripoli-based non secular authority for boycotts of firms it considers supportive of Israel.