The Burqini

Herald Sun: Bikini? No, burqini

Itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny bikinis are common -- but now multicultural Australia has head-to-foot "burqinis".

Designer Aheda Zanetti calls the outfit an "Islamic bikini" because it has pants and a top.

She said the costume, marketed under the name Ahiida and available on the internet, covered everything except hands, feet and face.

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Comments

[Sarah]

I am really disgusted by some of these comments - people should be allowed to wear whatever they want and whatever makes them comfortable. It's not like they're forcing other people to wear it - - If these ignorant comments were made by a Muslim discounting people who wear bikinis - we would say they are evil fundamentalists - what does that make us? Think about it . . . . .

[lois]

"The material is high-tech. Synthetic combinations that include polyester, nylon and Lycra allow flexible movement in the water while not sticking to a woman’s body when she exits the pool — which could produce the opposite effect of modesty.

The suits are also increasingly stylish, with aqua to purple to hot pink colors, intricate sequin designs and miniskirts that go over long pants.

“We want to be modest, but we also want to be fashionable,” said Shereen Sabet, who last year founded Splashgear, an online swimwear store for Muslim women based in Huntington Beach." from http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2007/02/19/business/local/doc45d9af80457ca361760115.txt
also, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/04/0427_060424_muslim_sports.html

[Kashan Ahmad]

Well after reading all the comments it is clear that most of the people either don't know or don't understand the reason behind this 'burqini'. To truly understand the usefulness of this product, try imagining a society (religion) where exposing skin other than face, hands and feet is supposed to be a sin (yeah we Muslims are conservative; backward , but so are the nuns and rabbis).
Most of the women in Muslim countries refrain to participate in swimming just because of the fact that the swim suits are too revealing and are more of a mean to show skin than to assist in the sports. This is a very good initiative. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the person who came up with this idea.
And by the way; I’m sure other women round the globe would also benefit from it. say.. how about nun’s.. or do they prefer wearing thongs ;)

[Linda]

We are all so quick to judge other cultures before looking at our own. We get up in arms over female circumsion and yet we cant look at the mutilation woman put themselves through with plastic surgery in American to fit males ideals. Don't judge others before looking at our own misogyny

[me]

That's fucked up - just strip down and swim. God. People.

[mimi]

omg you are so weird!! let the ppl swim in what they want.. if they wanna swim naked let them, theyre the ones who dont have any self respect or dignity. if a muslim woman wants to swim in burqini LET HER, its not a big deal. as a muslim woman i have the choice and i choose not to wear a burqini out of PERSONAL CHOICE. if in the future i chose to wear a burqini no one will have forced me. and to those stupid ignorant pigs who do not know anything you are the ones who will suffer the consequences

[Fatima]

People, get over yourselves...just b'cuz you can't agree with the idea of a burqini doesnt give you the right to criticize it.

I, for one, think that it's an extremely thoughtful idea...and for those deranged brains that keep saying things like 'why is it called a burqini?' and 'its missing the veil' and 'it clings to the body':

1: why does the name bother you so much; after all, no one is forcing you to use the term...

2: it's STILL a conspiracy that it is obligatory for muslim women to veil...and also, rome wasnt built in a day, alright? it takes time to make things perfect!

3: what kind of moron would invent something like this WITHOUT bearing in mind ALL the requirements...? DUH, it doesnt cling to the body!

...and i get the feeling half the people criticizing it are actually against islam, not the swimsuit!

[chuck]

I think it is an interesting idea. I think if a woman wants to wear it its fine and if not so what? I have to say that womens swim wear today is to revealing and this my be a little over the top for modesty but I guess its better than a thong. The only real criticizim I have is it looks like a set of pajamas.

[Maria]

Hey.. have an open mind people.. we are all human being.. and everyone has interest.. so what if one wants to wear this.. its up to them.. what is it with you all.. being very individualistic? i thought people nowadays are more open minded.. i guess i'm wrong then.. some of us just can't stand looking at other people's success.. duhh... like you are sooo perfect huh?

anyway.. i like the idea of this designer.. bravo.. and please design more... make more options.. ciao..

[Tyciol]

I think it's a great idea for protection from the sun. Modesty made me thinkg 'cling!' too but if they somehow managed to avoid that from happening, cool.

Actually, consider how freakin' hot it is in the middle east. Women do sweat. If they sweat, you'd think their burqas might cling, so perhaps using the Burqini materials in modern burkas would make some sense.

The face thing is an issue. I think coupling this suit with a scuba mask (covers eyes and nose) and possibly some sort of snorkel in the mouth would be a good idea. Although, I guess the snorkel could be looked upon as somewhat vulgar, putting a tube-like apparatus in the mouth and all. Hard to say.

It's a good point about the nuns! No one ever judges nuns... I guess the main difference though is that being a nun is a CHOICE, whereas muslims are either obligated by law in their countries, or obligated by their religion regardless of whether they choose a celibate god-marrying path like a nun does.

Personally, I sort of like the idea of burqas, they stop us obsessing with the body (and it's sexual characteristics). Much like communicating over the internet, or by letters, without pictures.

But I hate the idea that people do it because of religion. You don't need religion to be modest, if modesty's a good thing then why not pursue it for its own right? Furthermore, it makes sense for health, I think people like albinos who are very allergic to sunlight might wear something like this if they don't want to wear an umbrella around.

Also, why only women? Men can be objectified for their bodies too. Should I start a movement (being a man) of wearing burqas to swim?

The only thing is, guys probably don't do it either do to hassle, or of the fear of people thinking they're doing it because they're ugly.

So rather, I will build a very ripped muscular physique, and then wear a man-burqa anyway. Would that work? I think it's okay to show your body sometimes and be modest and anonymous in public life, after all.

Wearing gas masks to filter pollution to save our lungs from free radical toxins is good too, and would also obscure the face!

[itsanoutrage]

THIS IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL. JEEZ

IF YOU DONT WANT TO WEAR IT THEN DON'T. IT'S NOT YOUR PROBLEM OR YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS. THESE WERE DESIGNED FOR MUSLIM WOMEN NOT WESTERN WHORES.
THE END.

[sabbah haji]

Good grief. On behalf of all reasonable modern women [Muslim or not] who have a love for swimming while at the same time not being comfortable revealing themselves, thank God for Ahida and her great innovation- call it what you will: Burqinis/ strange-looking swimwear/ new-global-costume-threat-to-bigot-freaks etc.

[Oh, no, look! I said "God!" Jeez.]
I can't believe some sicko actually posted a derogatory comment about "blacks and women" in the FD. What's up with you guys?

[michael]

I especially enjoyed the daft comment about black firefighters being a employment compromise.

Bravo! you win the Bigot Prize!

Also I firmly agree that this attire does seem rediculous -but as long as the wearer can remove it quickly and safely before entering the water - I see no performance, lives, or beliefs being compromised.

[Lisa]

A thoughtful invention that meets the needs of certain individuals. It is all good.

[Bonnie]

I find it very strange that so many people are in such a uproar over this? It is quite nice that someone came up with a swimsuit made for women who have a sense of modesty and actually want to swim instead of just strutting their stuff almost naked so men will watch them and then getting all indignant if some man makes a pass. Any woman who says that is not the reason to go around as naked as possible is lying to herself and everyone else. Good for the Islamic women who still retain a sense of decency as compared to the Western culture of "anything goes as long as it makes ME happy and who cares how it affects others or society." It sure takes more skill to design something like this than to cut out two pieces of cloth or string and call it a swimming suit! Plus you actually get a little cloth for your money.

[Kiana]

I personally own a full coverage bathing suit i purchased a little before the two companies that sell these swimsuits got big. And I must say, THE DRAG IS NOT A PROBLEM!!! I can swim just fine, and though i am not a life saver i am confident that if i were i could save a life just fine. Mine is a little different from this but because of the material it is made out of it is pretty easy to swim in. And to the salafi, yes it clings a little, however I wear a over dress outside of the water, it isn't a problem. In my opinion the awra issue is handled. Keep in mind there are muslim women who take it all off to go to the beach, i have seen it, matter of fact when i first became muslim i did it so its definately an improvement and it also helps muslim women learn how to swim so we can have less tragedies like where all the muslim women that got stranded off that boat died because none of them knew how to swim.

[Hana]

Well, what needs to be said has really already been said, but additionally, I just want to say that a face veil is not compulsory for Muslim women, and I think it'd be a bit inconvenient to swim with a dodgy thing covering your face.

Of course, for the women who want to observe the covering of their face, a good way to go would probably be to wrap a thin fabric of the same material loosely (but securely) around the lower half of their faces and tuck the sides into the hijab-head piece.

I think this is a wonderful innovation. Finally, something to jump into the pool with without having to fear having my boobs ogled. I'll just settle with being amused at what reactions will be elicited from pervy men who were probably expecting to have some busty eye candy at the beach. ;)

[splong cat]

Awwwwwwwhhhhhhhsssuuummm :B

[Ted Hama]

THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS, DAMN 'MERICANS.

[huacheetah]

modernity strikes again...

[lolwut]

ARRRGH SOMETHING NEW OUTSIDE OF MY EXPERIENCE, MADE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ME AND DO NOT SHARE MY TASTE

I HATE IT FOREVER AND IT SUCKS AND THE WORLD IS OVER ARGH

[Aroosa Aged 15]

I think it is such a unique idea helping all my fellow muslimahs. I want to be a designer just like Aheda and come up with ideas that are beneficial for Muslims.
Carry on doing what you do. Mashallah!
And for all the idiots critizing her and her work, Bog off!