The Introduction of the Burqini in Europe - 1242 Words

In January of 2007, a new style of bathing suit known as the Burqini became a media sensation. Burqini is a multi-piece head to toe bathing suit designed especially for women who follow Islam and practice sartorial hijab and cover their entire body except face hands and feet. The media created this portmanteau of burqa and bikini and referred to these full body multi piece swimsuits to modestly dress Muslim women as burqinis. Burqini has received a lot of attention from media from all over the world; both positive and negative, making it a sensational piece of garment in 21st century. The most public attention gained by this garment was in 2009 when it was banned in Emerainville , a suburb of Paris in France and later in Italy making because it was unhygienic and inappropriate clothing for a public baths. Therefore, making Burqini one of the most controversial piece of clothing as it questions culture, religion, health and hygiene of the individual who wears a Burqini along with the people who are in the same bath as the individual wearing Burqini. This paper discusses how and why Burqini became a controversial piece of garment by focusing on news stories, written records and personal interviews of people who wear Burqini. It critically analyses and focuses on how this controversy of faith versus hygiene of Burqini wearers is just a result of cultural clash. Introduction of the burqini in Europe led to juxtaposing perspectives on whether or not it should be allowed.