Libya's Dar al-Ifta says rocking the Swoosh is unIslamic because Nike is named after the Greek goddess of victory.
Libya's highest religious authority has put the Swoosh in its crosshairs. The Dar al-Ifta has ruled that wearing Nike clothing, and displaying its logo, goes against Islamic principles. The ruling is a notable moment where North African faith and global sportswear branding collide.
The reasoning comes down to the name. Nike takes its name from the Greek goddess of victory, and the Dar al-Ifta argues that putting that name on your chest, your feet or your cap amounts to promoting a pagan figure. In its view, that makes the branding incompatible with Islam.
The ruling matters because Nike is one of the most recognisable brands in sport. Its logo shows up on football pitches, running tracks and city streets across the continent, and it is a staple of Africa's fast-growing streetwear and sneaker culture. A religious body calling out the brand by name carries weight well beyond Libya's borders.
The ruling is a religious opinion, and it remains to be seen how many Libyans will change what they wear because of it. It does show the growing debate over how global brands, faith and identity fit together, and the question reaches every fan who wears their colours with a logo attached.
