Libya's top religious authority rules against wearing Nike clothes

Libya's highest religious authority, the Dar al-Ifta, has issued a ruling banning Muslims from buying, selling or wearing clothing bearing the Nike logo.

The ruling, issued by the Tripoli-based institution, states that the US sportswear giant was named after the Greek goddess of victory and that its famous swoosh logo was inspired by her wings.

It argued that wearing clothing displaying the logo amounted to promoting symbols associated "with polytheism," or the worship of more than one god.

Libya is home to the ancient Greek city of Cyrene, where archaeological remains include a statue of the Greek goddess of the same name.

The religious committee also accused Nike of supporting Israel and called for a boycott of companies that back the country.

It referred to a statement issued by its Council for Research and Sharia Studies on 5 November 2023, urging Muslims to boycott Western companies it considers supportive of Israel during the war in Gaza.

The ruling, known as a fatwa, is a religious opinion on a matter of Islamic law. It was approved by Libya's Grand Mufti, Sadiq al-Gharyani.

The BBC has contacted Nike for comment.

Kaynak: BBC News World RSS (Açık Basın / Haber Servisi)