Latest news with #Mazenal-Salhani
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Syria asks women to dress modestly on beaches but says bikinis still allowed
Syria's government has asked women to wear 'burkinis' or more modest swimwear while visiting public beaches this summer, although they later clarified there will be no legal consequences for those who wear bikinis. A government directive on Tuesday asked women to wear a 'burkini or swimwear that covers more of the body', and loose-fitting clothing when out of the water. The decree also asked men not to be shirtless when not swimming. 'Visitors to public beaches and pools, whether tourists or locals, are required to wear appropriate swimwear that takes into account public taste and the sensibilities of various segments of society,' the tourism minister, Mazen al-Salhani, said in a statement. The guidelines would not apply for luxury resorts, where the decree said 'normal western swimwear' was permitted. The order provoked outrage and accusations that the Islamist-led government was trying to impose its version of morality on Syrians, many of whom, but not all, prefer conservative clothing. The government was quick to clarify that the directive was merely advice and there would be no legal penalties for those who did not follow them. Instead, the government quickly published a list of beaches where western-style swimwear, such as bikinis, can be worn and other beaches where burkinis are preferred. 'This does not mean that beaches where modest clothing is preferred that western clothing is prohibited, but that we respect public preferences and cultural, religious and social diversity in Syria,' Ghaith al-Farah, the deputy tourism minister, said in an interview with the Syrian channel Al-Ikhbariyah on Wednesday. He further said the directives had been published as part of general guidelines for public conduct and safety during the summer, which included advice on not getting sunburnt and avoiding certain fish. The tourism ministry said authorities would only patrol the perimeter of beaches, and it published pictures of beaches with people in bikinis on X on Thursday. Despite the seeming walking back of the decision, some Syrians worried this indicated a desire from the Syrian government to impose its own standards for women's dress. It was the first time the new government had made any decrees on women's dress since the toppling of the former president Bashar al-Assad in December, and fanned fears among Syria's religious minorities. Though the Assad regime curtailed most freedoms in Syria, it was fiercely secular and did not control women's dress. Maya Saloum, a 24-year-old English teacher from Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus, said: 'It's not their call to make decisions for others and decide what to wear and where to wear it.' Sara, a 20-year-old student in Damascus using a pseudonym, said: 'Neither the government nor anyone else should interfere in such matters. In my view there are far more important issues the country needs to address than interfering with and limiting people's freedoms.' She complained that since December she had received verbal harassment for wearing shorts or sleeveless tops in the streets from individuals and some security forces. Syria's president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has previously promised to protect freedoms and religious diversity in Syria and to guarantee women's rights under his rule.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
NO To Bikinis, YES To Burkinis: Syria Asks People To Wear "Appropriate" Swimsuits At Public Beaches
The Syrian Tourism Ministry on Tuesday issued a new mandate for women, asking them to wear "appropriate" swimsuits at public beaches. Women must wear swimsuits that cover the full body, such as burkinis, and men can't be topless. "Visitors to public beaches and pools, whether tourists or locals, are required to wear appropriate swimwear that takes into account public taste and the sensibilities of various segments of society," Tourism Minister Mazen al-Salhani said in a Facebook post. "More modest swimwear is required at public beaches and pools (burkinis or swimsuits that cover more of the body). When moving between the beach and other places, it is necessary to wear a beach cover-up or loose-fitting robe (for women) over swimsuits," the directive added. The ministry said that swimmers and beach visitors in general are required to wear "appropriate swimming attire and behave in a manner that respects public taste". The mandate has come almost six months after Islamist-led forces toppled longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad and seized power. Some private venues have been exempted as the ministry said that private beach clubs and venues considered "luxurious" by authorities have the option of not abiding by the new rules. "Western swimsuits are allowed" in private establishments within the limits of "general morals", the ministry stated, asking them to follow the modesty rules. Not just the beach, Syrians are in general asked to "wear loose clothing, cover the shoulders and knees and avoid transparent and tight clothing" while out in public, according to the ministry's statement. However, the ministry hasn't specified how the rules will be enforced. Netizens react to the decision People on social media platforms reacted to the announcement, with some raising concerns about personal freedoms since the new authorities took power in December. A woman said on Facebook, "Syria is a moderate and open country, and it should accommodate everyone without restrictions. "The ministry should reconsider its decision," she added. Meanwhile, another social media user, Yahya Qabisho, supported the new rules, saying that there's a "duty" to respect the "culture of Syrian society".
