Muslim outrage

[chelo]

Italian town bars Muslim 'burqini' swimsuit
Suits you ... the 'burqini' swimsuit, designed by Australian Aheda Zanetti. Photo: AFP

August 20, 2009 - 8:46AM
The anti-immigration mayor of a northern Italian city has barred Muslim women from wearing the controversial body-concealing swimsuit known as a burqini, an Italian newsagency has reported.

Women wearing the garment made up of a veil, a tunic and loose leggings face a fine of 500 euros ($850) if spotted at swimming pools or riversides in the northern Piedmont town of Varallo Sesia, the ANSA news agency said.

"The sight of a 'masked woman' could disturb small children, not to mention problems of hygiene," mayor Gianluca Buonanno was quoted as saying.


Burqini ban: 'respect our choice'
Aussie burqini inventor says she was not surprised that a French woman was banned from her local swimming pool for wearing a full-cover swimsuit.

"We don't have to be tolerant all the time."

Justifying the move, Buonanno added: "Imagine a Western woman bathing in a bikini in a Muslim country. The consequences could be decapitation, prison or deportation. We are merely prohibiting the use of the burqini".

Last week, a swimming pool in Paris refused entry to a burqini-clad Muslim on similar grounds, adding to tensions over Muslim dress in France.

The incident came as French MPs conducted hearings on whether to ban the burqa after President Nicolas Sarkozy said the head-to-toe body covering and veil was "not welcome" in France, home to Europe's biggest Muslim minority.

Buonanno belongs to Italy's Northern League, a party allied with the centre-right People of Freedom led by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

It has backed several initiatives hostile to Muslims

[methodsboy]

that's completely disgusting. How does wearin the "burquini" affect those turds?

[chelo]

I know and using the excuse of scaring children is stupid.

[methodsboy]

I know and using the excuse of scaring children is stupid.

all the more reasons to let the women wear it so that children will get used to seeing them and as they (the children) grow older, they will hopefully realise that muslims are normal people too.

[chelo]

I find no offence on the swim suit i would not mind if i saw someone at the pool with it.

[doboman]

I know and using the excuse of scaring children is stupid.

From reading several articles on this; and how it was also banned in France, i think the main reason was the hygiene. The "scaring children" excuse is completely uncalled for [and i believe it was just used to help them gain sentimental supporters..]. But yes, i think hygiene was the main factor in its ban.

That's not to say that the ban is warranted. Im just pointing out that "scaring children" wasn't the main reason.

[kdgamz]

I guess its just a lack of empathy for Muslims...unfortunately.

[ninwa]

I love how they go to all the trouble of making up a children-scaring excuse, then wrecks it by saying "We don't have to be tolerant all the time." Fail.

[ZachCharge]

What exactly are the hygiene problems associated with burqinis?

[excal]

I don't have any problems with people wearing what they feel is appropriate dress to the swimming pool, but a good point is made with:

"Imagine a Western woman bathing in a bikini in a Muslim country. The consequences could be decapitation, prison or deportation. We are merely prohibiting the use of the burqini".

While 'tit for tat' reactions are rarely good on the part of Italy/France, it does raise an interesting question about these countries.

[magnum]

I don't have any problems with people wearing what they feel is appropriate dress to the swimming pool, but a good point is made with:

"Imagine a Western woman bathing in a bikini in a Muslim country. The consequences could be decapitation, prison or deportation. We are merely prohibiting the use of the burqini".

While 'tit for tat' reactions are rarely good on the part of Italy/France, it does raise an interesting question about these countries.

I beg to differ 'Excalibur'. The irrelevant argument that you found can be completely disregarded. France should recognise that this matter is simply a non-issue, which has been blown WAY out of proportion. That the presence of the 'burqini' will 'scare' children is the biggest load of bullsh*t I have heard in a while. In the 2000 Olympics, wasn't Ian Thorpe wearing a cap and swimsuit almost identical to the burqini???

The only plausible explanation for this whole controversy is that, unfortunately, it seems that Napolitano and Sarkozy are trying to win over the 'racist' vote by targeting Muslims, once again.

anyways thats my 2 cents worth  

[ninwa]

Firstly, the country is Italy.

Secondly, he wasn't making an argument in support of the law. He was merely raising the interesting issue of what appears to be double standards. Why should it be completely disregarded?

[qshyrn]

we need to see some more flesh, BAN BURQINIS!!!!

[enwiabe]

I don't have any problems with people wearing what they feel is appropriate dress to the swimming pool, but a good point is made with:

"Imagine a Western woman bathing in a bikini in a Muslim country. The consequences could be decapitation, prison or deportation. We are merely prohibiting the use of the burqini".

While 'tit for tat' reactions are rarely good on the part of Italy/France, it does raise an interesting question about these countries.

Many Muslim countries have not yet realised freedom of expression.

France/Italy have.

If the hygiene risk is genuine, then so-be-it. It should be banned. I then ask you, what about the full-body suits most professional athletes wear to make themselves more aerodynamic. How much more unhygienic is covering the face and feet?

Seems a bit like inventing a reason to validate one's irrational fear of the unknown, to me.

[Fyrefly]

Politics aside though, it really just looks like a wetsuit crossed with a rash vest (like... those UV thingys that kiddies wear) and I see nothing wrong with them.
I read a bit more about this, and there's actually an Australian Muslim surf life saver who can only work her job thanks to these burqinis (she can still maintain her modesty).

There's pictures and stuff if you google...