The French resort of Cannes has banned full-body, head-covering swimsuits worn by some Muslim women from its beaches, citing concerns about public order.
In case you’ve been out of the fashion loop lately, the burkini, is a head to toe swimsuit designed to be in compliance with the Quran modest dress code for Muslin women. It’s basically like a wetsuit but lighter for mobility and with the standard hijab you see Muslim women wear.
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No matter the purpose, the message is being interpreted the same, as a symbol for terrorism. As of today 3 French cities have banned burkinis from being worn in public and at beaches.
Cannes (most notable for their film festivals) was the first city to implement the ban, followed by Villleneuve-Loubet and then Corsica. Corsica just recently implemented the ban due to a small riot breaking out on a village beach near Sisco.
Of course there was instant backlash from feminists across the globe calling this ban sexist and a violation of freedom. At least three women supported by the (CCIF) – Collective Against Islamophobia in France, challenged the Cannes decision in court, saying it was illegal and calling for it to be suspended.
However, Cannes won the decision of a “burkini ban” when a judge refused to overturn the court ruling. The judge noted that the Cannes ban had been declared “in the context of the state of emergency and recent Islamist attacks, notably in Nice a month ago.”
French law clearly forbids people from “invoking their religious beliefs to skirt common rules regulating relations between public authorities and private individuals.” The ruling goes into further details by stating, “The wearing of distinctive clothing, other than that usually worn for swimming, can indeed only be interpreted in this context as a straightforward symbol of religiosity.”
I guess seeing women fully clothed sunbathing and playing in water sparks outrage and half naked women slathered in oil sparks……erections. The French cities are opting for the latter.