Posted on 08/31/2006 10:22:22 PM PDT by quantim
ISTANBUL -- An unusual type of swimwear is standing out on Turkish beaches this summer -- Islam-inspired swimsuits -- which buck the trend of the past 100 years for swimsuits to get smaller.
Turkish businessman Mehmet Sahin has designed what he says is the world's first Islam-inspired swimsuit and sells head-to-ankle bathing gear to devout well-heeled Muslims, including the wives of Turkey's leading politicians.
"We are the preferred firm of the conservative politicians' wives," he said in an interview, referring to members of Turkey's ruling AK Party, which has its roots in political Islam and came to power in 2002.
His brightly-colored women's swimming costumes look like shiny track-suits with stretchy hoods, while the racier models are like cat suits with a separate overall to cover the curves.
These costumes are a throwback to the type of swimwear worn before Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman invented and wore the first one-piece swimsuit in 1906. She was arrested in the United States in 1907 for wearing the one-piece suit that showed her arms, legs and neck.
Sahin sold 40,000 swimsuits last year and expects to beat that with 50,000 this year.
"Now, when you say swimsuit, what do we understand? Bikinis or small trunks ... Perhaps in 10 or 15 years time when you say swimsuit, [mine] will also come to mind," he said.
I guess Shi'ite floats..
Muslim inspired swimwear? Will dynamite still explode if it gets wet? Should they use C4?
This'll take all the fun out of going to the beach...
Muslims suck-they make their women cover up, but when abroad, especially in Europe, many of them can be found with hookers..
C4 Swimwear :-)
Around here, we call 'em wet suits.
Well, if this is so series, where are the pics? We're breathless over here.
We should come up with a Muslim "mens mag", complete with centerfold of one exposed little toe.
Worthless without pics.
Pictures please!
This isn't directed at you, but I'd just like to state for the record that I am sick of hearing about some dip-stick from the house of Islam saying or doing this or that.
Enough already.
How the heck can they swim with so much clothing?
Hope my server holds...
They can't swim. That's the point.
I absolutely hate Islam with every fiber of my being.
The photo on the left looks a lot like some of the modest swimwear that is out there these days (minus the headgear). Looks better than those flowery skirt suits that look like something my mom used to wear.
Do they come with attached bomb belts?
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