Libya's Dar al-Ifta Bans Nike for Muslims Over Greek Goddess Name and Swoosh
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 5
Libya's Dar al-Ifta Bans Nike for Muslims Over Greek Goddess Name and Swoosh
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 5
Summary
Libya's Dar al-Ifta issued a fatwa banning Muslims from buying, selling or wearing Nike products, saying the brand conflicts with Islamic belief.
The authority said Nike's name refers to the ancient Greek goddess of victory and that the swoosh logo was inspired by her wings, making the brand a symbol of polytheism.
The ruling carries no legal force, but Dar al-Ifta holds social influence in Libya and urged Muslims to stop using the brand as a show of religious pride.
The move follows a similar fatwa last year against Van Cleef & Arpels' Alhambra design, which the authority said promoted un-Islamic beliefs about luck.