The French city of Cannes has banned full-body, head-covering swimsuits from its beaches. The law which is said to be for security reasons, is being hailed as a testament to the growing Islamophobia in France.
The Mayor of Cannes, David Lisnard, banned the so-called burkinis in an effort to maintain “public order.” His ordinance from July reads that swimwear manifesting religious affiliation in an ostentatious way, while France and its religious sites are currently the target of terrorist attacks, could create risks of trouble to public order.”
ALSO READ: NM Freedom getaways
The decision comes at the height of the tourist seasons when thousands of visitors descend to the famed resort city to soak up the sun. It also comes at a time when France is still recovering from the attack in Nice.
As reported in The Daily Mail, the mayor called the burkini the uniform of extremist Islamism, not of the Muslim religion.” He later admitted the ordinance could also apply to saris worn by Indian guests as, in case of an emergency, the yards of fabric would hamper rescue efforts.
The French have previously banned face-veils (niqabs) and headscarves (abayas). As tolerance for Islam wears thin, supporters of such laws claim such measures protect secularism. Critics, however, point that such moves only deepen the religious divide and provide fodder to extremists.