A French court has rejected a demand by a group of French Muslims in Cannes to overturn a ban on full-body, head-covering swimwear on city beaches. Violators risk a €38 fine.
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It’s not just the ban itself that has angered opponents, but the Town Hall’s justification for it. Nevertheless, despite official claims that this ban could apply to various swimming costumes, Lisnard’s assertions that members of other faiths will continue to be able to display symbols of their religions, such as crosses, make it hard to deny that this measure is at least partially targeted at Muslims.
In 2011 it became the first country in Europe to ban the full-face Islamic veil, known as the burka, as well as the partial face covering, the niqab.
Thierry Migoule, head of municipal services in Cannes, sought to clarify the intent of the burqini ban, which is in place until August 31.
Now some politicians and social commentators argue that modesty in public places goes against the secular values of France.
Earlier this week, a private burkini pool party for Muslim women in nearby Marseille was cancelled after it was deemed a threat to public order.
“The decree is not the provocation, it’s those who wear this kind of outfit”.
“In France, one does not come to the beach dressed to display one’s religious convictions, especially as they are false convictions that the religion does not demand”.
“This is exactly what Daesh (Isis) want”.
Under a law introduced in 2010, it is illegal for anyone in France to cover their face in public, but there is no ban on wearing religious symbols or clothing.
Women who attempt to wear the full coverage swimsuit on Cannes beaches will now be asked to change or leave the beach.
Hervé Lavisse, president of the Cannes-Grasse section of the Human Rights League, told CNN the ban would be counterproductive because “instead of appeasing people, it will inflame tensions”.
Sefen Guez Guez said by telephone that the decision upholding the ban on so-called burkinis was made by a judge without a debate. “Do they think these women are hiding Kalashnikovs underneath the burqinis?”
Amid the chaos, Muslim rights organization are attempting to promote tolerance and the fact that Muslim extremists do not represent the religion or its followers as a whole.
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Feiza Ben Mohamed from the Southern Federation of Muslims said Cannes is acting above the law by issuing the ban.
