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France’s Burkini Debate Reverberates Around the World France’s Burkini Debate Reverberates Around the World
(about 5 hours later)
LONDON — The burkini has become perhaps the most potent symbol in France’s long-running battle over its vaunted secular identity. But in Britain and the United States, the full-body swimwear is being seen as part of a multicultural model of integrating minorities that stands in contrast with France’s assimilationist approach. In French-speaking parts of the Arab world, the swimwear has stirred debate, as it has in France; but in China, where face-covering swimwear has long been popular among wrinkle-fearing beachgoers, many do not understand what the fuss is about. Among women around the world, the gendered dimensions of the debate have not escaped notice. LONDON — The burkini has become perhaps the most potent symbol in France’s long-running battle over its vaunted secular identity. This summer’s heated debate over bans on the full-body swimwear by beach towns on the French Riviera has reverberated around the world, with widely different reactions.
The swimsuit’s Lebanese-Australian inventor, Aheda Zanetti, wrote last week in The Guardian that she had created the garment to “give women freedom, not to take it away,” after her young niece found it too cumbersome to play sports while wearing a hijab. “Diving into water is one of the best feelings in the world,” Ms. Zanetti wrote. “And you know what? I wear a bikini under my burkini. I’ve got the best of both worlds.” In Britain and the United States, the modest outfits are being seen as part of a multicultural model of integrating minorities. In China, where face-covering swimwear has long been popular among wrinkle-fearing beachgoers, many do not understand what the fuss is about.
Here is a roundup of how the debate has played out in some parts of the world. The swimsuit’s Lebanese-Australian inventor, Aheda Zanetti, said in an interview last week that the French and others have “misunderstood the burkini swimsuit,” which she said she created after her young niece found it cumbersome to play sports in a regular Islamic head scarf.
“The burkini swimsuit is freedom and happiness and lifestyle changes — you can’t take that away from a Muslim, or any other woman, that chooses to wear it,” Ms. Zanetti said.
“I wanted to introduce a full range of clothing to suit a Muslim woman — or any woman — that wanted a bit of modesty and wanted to participate in any sporting activities,” she added. “It was also my aim for them not to be judged for who they are, or where they’re from, and who people think they’re representing.”
Here is a look at how the battle over the burkini has played out in various places.
Last week, the populist tabloid The Sun published an article showing Muslim women dressed in body-covering garments playing joyously on the beach in the seaside city of Brighton. “British Muslims enjoy day at the beach in Islamic dress … while Frenchwomen face arrest for doing the same,” the headline proclaimed.Last week, the populist tabloid The Sun published an article showing Muslim women dressed in body-covering garments playing joyously on the beach in the seaside city of Brighton. “British Muslims enjoy day at the beach in Islamic dress … while Frenchwomen face arrest for doing the same,” the headline proclaimed.
The swimsuit has become so popular that it recently sold out at the retailer Marks & Spencer. Sales may also have been given a lift thanks to the popular television chef Nigella Lawson, who wore a burkini while on vacation in Australia five years ago.The swimsuit has become so popular that it recently sold out at the retailer Marks & Spencer. Sales may also have been given a lift thanks to the popular television chef Nigella Lawson, who wore a burkini while on vacation in Australia five years ago.
Ismail Sacranie, a founder of Modestly Active, the Islamic sportswear manufacturer that designed Ms. Lawson’s burkini, said 35 percent of his clients were non-Muslim. “It is primarily driven by the desire to protect against the sun,” he said in a phone interview, “but the other reason is that some women of all sizes just don’t want to wear something tiny, and feel more comfortable being covered.”Ismail Sacranie, a founder of Modestly Active, the Islamic sportswear manufacturer that designed Ms. Lawson’s burkini, said 35 percent of his clients were non-Muslim. “It is primarily driven by the desire to protect against the sun,” he said in a phone interview, “but the other reason is that some women of all sizes just don’t want to wear something tiny, and feel more comfortable being covered.”
After the former French president Nicolas Sarkozy called the outfit “provocation for the service of a project of radicalized political Islam,” the best-selling author J. K. Rowling retorted: “So Sarkozy calls the burkini a ‘provocation.’ Whether women cover or uncover their bodies, seems we’re always, always ‘asking for it.’”After the former French president Nicolas Sarkozy called the outfit “provocation for the service of a project of radicalized political Islam,” the best-selling author J. K. Rowling retorted: “So Sarkozy calls the burkini a ‘provocation.’ Whether women cover or uncover their bodies, seems we’re always, always ‘asking for it.’”
Not everyone in Britain is wild about the burkini, of course.Not everyone in Britain is wild about the burkini, of course.
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, a Muslim, wrote in The Daily Mail that burkini sellers were “complicit in a version of Islam that believes women must be subjugated in public.”Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, a Muslim, wrote in The Daily Mail that burkini sellers were “complicit in a version of Islam that believes women must be subjugated in public.”
This summer a Facebook page was created with the apparent aim of shaming women wearing bikinis on the beaches of Morocco, a majority-Muslim kingdom and former French protectorate. “Our slogan is: No to vice in an Islamic Moroccan nation,” the country’s news media quoted the creator of the page, identified as Aicha Amal, as saying. The page has been taken down.This summer a Facebook page was created with the apparent aim of shaming women wearing bikinis on the beaches of Morocco, a majority-Muslim kingdom and former French protectorate. “Our slogan is: No to vice in an Islamic Moroccan nation,” the country’s news media quoted the creator of the page, identified as Aicha Amal, as saying. The page has been taken down.
On his own Facebook page, Omar al-Kazabri, the imam of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, condemned the “obscene nudity” of women on the beaches.On his own Facebook page, Omar al-Kazabri, the imam of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, condemned the “obscene nudity” of women on the beaches.
Long before the French ban, many private hotels and pools in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia — all governed by France in the past — had put up signs banning the burkini, or variations of it, some citing hygiene. But the bans did not come from the government.Long before the French ban, many private hotels and pools in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia — all governed by France in the past — had put up signs banning the burkini, or variations of it, some citing hygiene. But the bans did not come from the government.
“Unlike France, the ban on burkini in Morocco comes from a few private institutions,” the Moroccan tourism minister, Lahcen Haddad, recently told the magazine Jeune Afrique. “We are in a Muslim country that also respects individual freedoms and private initiative.”“Unlike France, the ban on burkini in Morocco comes from a few private institutions,” the Moroccan tourism minister, Lahcen Haddad, recently told the magazine Jeune Afrique. “We are in a Muslim country that also respects individual freedoms and private initiative.”
Burkinis caused a stir years ago in Algeria when they started appearing on beaches. “Just walk along the Algerian coast to find that most Algerian women shun the swimsuit,” the website Algeria Focus reported in 2014. “The general trend is modesty, so we see more and more women dressed in a burkini.”Burkinis caused a stir years ago in Algeria when they started appearing on beaches. “Just walk along the Algerian coast to find that most Algerian women shun the swimsuit,” the website Algeria Focus reported in 2014. “The general trend is modesty, so we see more and more women dressed in a burkini.”
On the beaches of Dakar, the mostly Muslim capital of the overwhelmingly Muslim country of Senegal, no one seems to notice or care what anyone wears.On the beaches of Dakar, the mostly Muslim capital of the overwhelmingly Muslim country of Senegal, no one seems to notice or care what anyone wears.
One recent hot afternoon, male bathers wore jeans, white briefs or board shorts into the water. Women were soaking in long dresses, burkinis, bikinis and one-piece swimsuits.One recent hot afternoon, male bathers wore jeans, white briefs or board shorts into the water. Women were soaking in long dresses, burkinis, bikinis and one-piece swimsuits.
Nordpresse, a Belgian website of political satire, created a stir this week with an article that falsely linked the origin of burkinis to Burkina Faso.Nordpresse, a Belgian website of political satire, created a stir this week with an article that falsely linked the origin of burkinis to Burkina Faso.
The article claimed that a member of the French Parliament had said that women wearing burkinis “should be sent back to their country, Burkina Faso.”The article claimed that a member of the French Parliament had said that women wearing burkinis “should be sent back to their country, Burkina Faso.”
The story, even though it was satire, prompted outrage. In the region, jokes by Western politicians or news publications are sensitive, especially when the butt of the joke is a former French colony.The story, even though it was satire, prompted outrage. In the region, jokes by Western politicians or news publications are sensitive, especially when the butt of the joke is a former French colony.
In anything-goes Berlin, which is as comfortable with intellectuals, nudists and clubbers with body piercings as it is with newly arrived Syrian refugees, the burkini is just another outfit.In anything-goes Berlin, which is as comfortable with intellectuals, nudists and clubbers with body piercings as it is with newly arrived Syrian refugees, the burkini is just another outfit.
There are no national regulations governing religious dress, and the German government has indicated that it will not support bans on burkinis.There are no national regulations governing religious dress, and the German government has indicated that it will not support bans on burkinis.
In the bustling working-class and multicultural Wedding district of Berlin, Julia Friese, a journalist, showed up at one pool in a burkini and said she felt “invisible.”In the bustling working-class and multicultural Wedding district of Berlin, Julia Friese, a journalist, showed up at one pool in a burkini and said she felt “invisible.”
Writing in Die Welt, she said that no one looked askance at her, curious children chatted with her respectfully and some men pretended not to see her. She said the pool’s management — told that she was writing a column on the burkini — had encouraged her to inform readers on how to buy one.Writing in Die Welt, she said that no one looked askance at her, curious children chatted with her respectfully and some men pretended not to see her. She said the pool’s management — told that she was writing a column on the burkini — had encouraged her to inform readers on how to buy one.
As in any country, there are naysayers. In June, the mayor of Neutraubling, a small town in Bavaria, banned the wearing of burkinis in public pools. In the state of Brandenburg, the parliamentary group of Alternative for Germany, the populist nationalist party, has demanded that burkinis be banned.As in any country, there are naysayers. In June, the mayor of Neutraubling, a small town in Bavaria, banned the wearing of burkinis in public pools. In the state of Brandenburg, the parliamentary group of Alternative for Germany, the populist nationalist party, has demanded that burkinis be banned.
But such views seem to be in the minority. After the parents of a Muslim girl in Frankfurt asked that she be exempted from swimming classes that included boys, the Federal Administrative Court in September 2013 ruled that she could wear a burkini as a compromise.But such views seem to be in the minority. After the parents of a Muslim girl in Frankfurt asked that she be exempted from swimming classes that included boys, the Federal Administrative Court in September 2013 ruled that she could wear a burkini as a compromise.
In Italy, which has a sizable population of Muslim immigrants, the French burkini bans have elicited strong reactions.In Italy, which has a sizable population of Muslim immigrants, the French burkini bans have elicited strong reactions.
Izzeddin Elzir, the imam of a mosque in Florence and the president of the Union of Islamic Communities in Italy, posted on his Facebook page a photo of nuns frolicking in the waves at a beach.Izzeddin Elzir, the imam of a mosque in Florence and the president of the Union of Islamic Communities in Italy, posted on his Facebook page a photo of nuns frolicking in the waves at a beach.
Some interpreted Mr. Elzir’s post as suggesting that nuns should be banned from wearing their habits at the beach. But Mr. Elzir countered that he had merely posted a photograph that spoke for itself.Some interpreted Mr. Elzir’s post as suggesting that nuns should be banned from wearing their habits at the beach. But Mr. Elzir countered that he had merely posted a photograph that spoke for itself.
“I just wanted to get people to stop and think,” he said. “That’s why I posted the photo alone, without writing a single word. I didn’t want to take sides but rather to spur a healthy debate.”“I just wanted to get people to stop and think,” he said. “That’s why I posted the photo alone, without writing a single word. I didn’t want to take sides but rather to spur a healthy debate.”
In Russia, the burkini has been banned or rebuked in some quarters as an affront to hygiene and local culture.In Russia, the burkini has been banned or rebuked in some quarters as an affront to hygiene and local culture.
The Rus health resort in Yessentuki, a city at the base of the Caucasus Mountains, banned women this month from wearing full-body swimsuits, saying that guests had complained; the resort’s head doctor called the swimsuit unhygienic.The Rus health resort in Yessentuki, a city at the base of the Caucasus Mountains, banned women this month from wearing full-body swimsuits, saying that guests had complained; the resort’s head doctor called the swimsuit unhygienic.
A correspondent for the newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets showed up on a Moscow beach wearing a burkini to see how locals would react, and found that while most people were not bothered, some objected rudely.A correspondent for the newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets showed up on a Moscow beach wearing a burkini to see how locals would react, and found that while most people were not bothered, some objected rudely.
“If you’re bundling yourself up in a burkini, it’s better to stay home, to sit in warmth, in a comfy chair, to enjoy life,” one observer told the interviewer. “Here, you should undress and sunbathe.”“If you’re bundling yourself up in a burkini, it’s better to stay home, to sit in warmth, in a comfy chair, to enjoy life,” one observer told the interviewer. “Here, you should undress and sunbathe.”
Still, others called for a live-and-let-live attitude. “Let her swim,” another Moscovite told the newspaper. “She’s not scaring anyone.”Still, others called for a live-and-let-live attitude. “Let her swim,” another Moscovite told the newspaper. “She’s not scaring anyone.”
The prominent opposition figure Aleksei A. Navalny endorsed a column by the editor in chief of Deutsche Welle, the German broadcaster, that framed the decision to ban the burkini as an example of “a liberal constitutional state decisively acting against the enemies of liberalism.”The prominent opposition figure Aleksei A. Navalny endorsed a column by the editor in chief of Deutsche Welle, the German broadcaster, that framed the decision to ban the burkini as an example of “a liberal constitutional state decisively acting against the enemies of liberalism.”
Muslims have not raced to the swimwear’s defense. Al’bir Rifkatovich Kurganov, a mufti, or Islamic legal scholar, in Moscow, has said that a French-style ban would be irrelevant for Russians, since practicing Muslims would not be visiting secular beaches in the first place.Muslims have not raced to the swimwear’s defense. Al’bir Rifkatovich Kurganov, a mufti, or Islamic legal scholar, in Moscow, has said that a French-style ban would be irrelevant for Russians, since practicing Muslims would not be visiting secular beaches in the first place.
American Muslims have greeted France’s burkini ban with bemusement and dismay.American Muslims have greeted France’s burkini ban with bemusement and dismay.
In northern New Jersey, which has a vibrant Muslim population, the newspaper The Record reported that the burkini ban had “mystified” many locals. The newspaper talked to two Muslim sisters, Sara and Sondos Elnakib, who said they wore yoga pants and long-sleeve shirts to show modesty at the beach.In northern New Jersey, which has a vibrant Muslim population, the newspaper The Record reported that the burkini ban had “mystified” many locals. The newspaper talked to two Muslim sisters, Sara and Sondos Elnakib, who said they wore yoga pants and long-sleeve shirts to show modesty at the beach.
The sisters have sold burkinis at a pop-up store — one is called The Hepburn — to appeal to fashion-conscious women. Women interviewed by the newspaper rejected the notion that burkinis encouraged radicalism, and compared it to the conservative attire of Orthodox Jews or Catholic clergy.The sisters have sold burkinis at a pop-up store — one is called The Hepburn — to appeal to fashion-conscious women. Women interviewed by the newspaper rejected the notion that burkinis encouraged radicalism, and compared it to the conservative attire of Orthodox Jews or Catholic clergy.