Skip to comments.
Swedish public pool to rent out burkinis
www.thelocal.se ^
| Published: 8 Dec 08 13:59 CET
| David Landes
Posted on 12/09/2008 8:24:40 AM PST by ebiskit
Swedish public pool to rent out burkinis
Published: 8 Dec 08 13:59 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/16210/20081208/
New feature Double click on a word to get a translation
In a nod to women not wishing to reveal too much, an indoor public swimming pool in Sweden has begun renting out burkinis, full-body swimsuits that cover everything but the face, hands, and feet.
For 30 kronor ($3.75), the Stadsparksbadet pool in
Borås in western Sweden now offers bathers who would rather not bathe in traditional swimwear something more comfortable that allows them to utilize the co-ed public pool
[Previously] there hasnt been a well-functioning alternative, said pool head Anette Ekberg to the Borås Tidning (BT) newspaper, explaining that bathers who in the past chose not to wear regular swimsuits had to come up with more creative but often less practical solutions.
Some would swim in long pants and a shirt. Not the best solution but we dont want to prohibit something because we cant provide an alternative.
The issue of appropriate attire for women at Swedens indoor public pools has received attention at both ends of the spectrum in the last year.
Back in February, the city of Gothenburg was ordered to pay damages to two Muslim mothers who were kicked out of a swimming pool for not removing their veils. The city appealed the ruling to Swedens Supreme Court, which has yet to try to case.
And in May, the central Swedish town of Enköping decided it would prohibit women from bathing topless at the towns indoor pool.
The move came on the heels of the opposite decision by officials in Sundsvall in northern Sweden to allow women to swim topless following pressure from the Bara Bröst network - which translates both as 'bare breasts' and 'just breasts'.
Ekberg claimed the pools decision to offer the burkini was a response to growing demand from bathers, as well as a way to avoid the hygiene issues associated with bathing in regular clothing.
Clearly, its not as pleasant to swim in cotton clothing. It loosens more particles from the clothes and that forces our cleaning system to work harder, she explained.
Therefore were asking those who are interested to use the burkini. That way we can reduce the level of chlorine in the water.
Stadsparksbadet is also considering offering burkinis for purchase in the near future, depending on the response from the public.
Sheeda Firouzfateh, a local resident who arranges women-only swimming sessions at another pool in nearby Sandared, thinks the 30 kronor rental price may be low enough to entice women to use the burkini.
However, she isnt sure that the burkini will be enough to make modest Muslim women comfortable with bathing in the presence of men.
Im not so sure. Its pretty tight and still shows your body. Maybe its easier for some, but others can still probably not think of showing themselves in that way in front of men, said Firouzfateh.
David Landes (david.landes@thelocal.se/+46 8 656 6518)
TOPICS: Current Events; Humor; Islam; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: burkini; islam; pool; religion; sharia; stealthjihad; sweden
Burkini
1
posted on
12/09/2008 8:24:41 AM PST
by
ebiskit
To: ebiskit
I’m still waiting for the cellulite-kini. That’s one I can get behind . . . (groan!)
2
posted on
12/09/2008 8:28:03 AM PST
by
pa mom
To: ebiskit
To: ebiskit
Hogs in a Hijab!
To: ebiskit
Sweden - bikinis - this thread has a LOT of potential...
5
posted on
12/09/2008 8:44:43 AM PST
by
mallardx
To: ebiskit
# Topless Swedish bathers: 'They're just breasts' (12 Nov 07)
Bottomless Swedish bathers: 'Its just hair'
:)
To: ebiskit
7
posted on
12/09/2008 9:21:34 AM PST
by
grb
To: ebiskit
Tragedy - hope this “trend” doesn’t spread beyond the barbarians to Swedish women.
8
posted on
12/09/2008 9:32:50 AM PST
by
indcons
(An eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth.)
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson