“Beachwear, which ostentatiously displays religious affiliation, when France and places of worship are now the target of terrorist attacks, is liable to create risks of disrupting public order”, he added. Cannes will still allow other religious symbols, such as the kippah, Jewish skullcap, and the Christian cross on the beach.
Advertisement
The Cannes beach ban is just the latest of many French measures seen as singling out Islam, the country’s No. 2 religion, in the name of official secularism.
France, which has the first Muslim community in Europe, was struck 18 months ago by several jihadist attacks, which sparked renewed tensions against Muslims.
The “burkini”, however, which closely resembles a surfer’s wetsuit, and only covers the body without hiding the face, is technically completely legal.
The Mayor cited public order issues, for bringing in the ban, which would see people wearing the swimsuit fined nearly 40 euros (£33).
France has had a full burqa and Niqab ban since 2004.
On July 26, two attackers stormed into a church in northern France and slit the throat of an 86-year-old priest, while taking several people hostage. Those found wearing a burkini will first be asked to change into another swimming costume, before then being asked to leave the beach if they fail to do so.
David Lisnard, the town mayor, claims the all-over swimsuits worn by some Muslim women, threatened to provoke people because of the number of terrorist attacks being carried out by ISIS.
Under French laws, face-covering veils are already banned in public. Cannes municipal authorities later commented that the ban was only against “ostentatious clothing” that could be linked to an allegiance with terrorist organizations.
The deputy mayor Dominique Bucci backed the ban, saying it would be a breach of the equality between men and women and “trample” on France’s secular values.
Offenders risk a fine of €38 (S$57).
The Socialist Party, who are in opposition to the right Republicans who control Cannes, said the burkini ban is an attempt to grab headlines and “play into the hands of religious fundamentalists”, media reports.
Advertisement
Human rights groups and anti discrimination organisations are fighting the Cannes ruling, with the group Collective against Islamophobia in France expressing “deep concern” on their Facebook page at what they called an attack on the most basic principles of the law.
