French human rights groups are outraged after the mayor of Cannes banned full-body swimsuits, or “burkinis“, from the city’s beaches.
Cannes’ mayor David Lisnard signed off on the ban last month in accordance with a litany of terrorist scares and attacks in the country, claiming the burkinis “could risk disrupting public order while France was the target of terrorist attacks”.
The BBC are reporting that Lisnard also claimed that burkinis were a “symbol of Islamic extremism” which are “not respectful of [the] good morals and secularism” upon which the French state was founded.
Human Rights groups like that of Collective Against Islamapohobia have spoken out against the ban, with executive Director Marwan Muhammad posting on Facebook that up to ten women have asked the group to sue the city of Cannes and that they are “currently conducting interlocutory action against Cannes.”
Anti-racism group SOS Racisme have also added their voices to what is becoming a fiery debate, criticising the Mayor’s “strategy of tension”.
The Socialist Party have rejected the idea that the burkini ban is a wholly positive and necessary step to ease tensions. The party, in opposition to the Republicans who currently control Cannes, said the ban was an attempt to control headlines and one that would ultimately “play into the hands of religious fundamentalists.”
The ban, in effect until August 31, comes after France was declared a state of
emergency after a series of attacks on Paris, Nice and on a Catholic church in the northwest of the country.
It’s not the first time French law has dictated what female religious symbols are allowed to be on show, as it is home to some of the toughest legislation on headscarves in Europe. In 2004, girls were banned from wearing the hijab in state schools.
Feature image via Getty.
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Some muslim women are being forced to wear the hijab or burqua or burkini against their will even in western countries. Youssif Omar as mentioned in the article posted, allegedly grabbed a 14 year old relative by the hair, slapped her across the face and pulled her by the hair down a flight of stairs into his car because she dared to be at school without wearing her hijab. He was being investigated for child abuse after being reported for doing this.
I reckon france is doing women a favour banning the burkini. Muslim men are getting the idea that muslim women are virtuous because they are covered up and western women are sluts because they are not kept shrouded. Western women are targets for attacks when 2 dress codes coexist.
I just don't get it. If we were to tell western (non Muslim) women to dress modestly, there would be an outcry. We would have "slut walks", the people calling for women to dress modestly would be attacked and told to resign. However, for some reason it is OK to feminists and left wingers if the Muslim community treat their women this way. No woman would wear full face and body coverage by choice. It makes women invisible to society and this is just unacceptable. Everyone should be up in arms about this style of clothing. Feminists should be particularly outraged. The French ban all religious clothing and jewellery. It is not just Islam that is the target.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...
Pauline, is that you?
The Egyptian beach volleyball player chose to wear the full covering during the Olympics this year. She had a choice of two uniforms, and chose the one with more coverage. You don't get to decide if all Muslim women feel oppressed or not; I have no doubt there are some who prefer full coverage without being coerced by men.
Please tell me how anything I said is racist or untrue. The French ban applies to every religion. Whether a woman believes she is being coerced or not, the entire point of the niqab is to make women invisible. Regardless of why a woman "chooses" to wear this outrageous piece of clothing, have no doubt that it is designed to keep women in their place. It is ridiculous to suggest that this is about modesty. Why is it only women who are supposed to "modest". Any feminist should be alarmed that women in the 21st century are wearing it.
ISIS, is that you?