The mayor of a Corsican town has banned full-body swimsuits known as “burkinis” after a clash between local residents and Muslim bathers of North African origin.
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“I understand the mayors who, in that moment of tension, have the reflex to look for solutions to avoid disturbances to public order”, said Manuel Valls in an interview with regional daily La Provence.
France already has a controversial country-wide “burqa ban”, which outlaws full-face veils in public, and analysts have said the beach rules could worsen feelings of alienation and fuel extremist propaganda. This news story is related to Print/142808-Third-French-town-bans-Muslim-burkini-swimsuit/ – breaking news, latest news, pakistan ne. “It is the translation of a political project, based in particular on the subjugation of women”.
While critics of the ban point out that the burkini is almost identical to a traditional wetsuit commonly worn by scuba divers and surfers.
“The burkini is … a particular vision particular of the place of the woman”.
The burqini issue has sparked huge controversy in France, with opponents saying the garment goes against French secular principles and anti-racism campaigners saying that banning women from wearing it amounts to discrimination. After the incident in Corsica, local authorities made a decision to ban the burkini, following the example of the cities of Cannes and Villeneuve-Loubet (on the Blue Coast of France), where the swimsuit was prohibited recently.
Witnesses of Saturday’s scuffle said the argument began after tourists were seen taking pictures of Muslim women bathing in a burkini.
But a burkini, which covers the head and body for swimming while leaving the face uncovered, does not contravene that law.
Ten Muslim women wearing burkinis to the beach have been apprehended by police in the southern French city of Cannes.
Pointing out that France’s Muslims are also French, he added: “One does not have to dictate to people – whatever we think of burkinis – how they have to dress”. He said: “We are not talking about banning the wearing of religious symbols on the beach, but ostentatious clothing which refers to an allegiance to terrorist movements which are at war with us”.
This past weekend, a large fight broke out on the French island of Corsica between a North African family and local youths.
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The five people injured on Saturday were later discharged from hospital, but unrest has continued on the island. “General rules on clothing restrictions can not be a solution”.
