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Rachna says

Burkini – bikini – what is the big deal?

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Rachna

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I heard about this peculiar news yesterday. The whole so-called controversy happened when a lady tried to get into the swimming pool wearing a head-to-toe garment as a substitute for a conventional swim suit in a swimming pool. She was incensed when not allowed to swim in this attire and has cried religious discrimination. I think that this is definitely not religious discrimination. This is solely a matter of following certain rules. If it is necessary to dress up in a particular way to use a swimming pool in a country then that applies to all and should be strictly adhered to. This is a matter of hygiene and hence important. Besides, why should exceptions be made for anyone?

I have one simple question. When we travel to any country and live in that country, we abide by the laws and rules prevailing there. We cannot argue that back in our country or culture we are used to or expected to do a certain thing. In the same vein, when a non-Muslim visits a Muslim country like say Saudi Arabia, one is expected to (especially women) follow very strict dress code including covering oneself and one’s hair and also not stepping out without a male relative. The same rules are observed during any religious festivals in that country. In the same way, Muslims have to understand and accept that exceptions cannot and will not be made for them. Of course, there is religious freedom to practice one’s religion in the way one likes but when one’s religion clashes with the norms prevalent in a certain country, then they have to learn to accept them.

It is very easy for us to raise the bogey of religious discrimination but one must understand the reasoning behind a certain decision. Besides, one has to be more adaptable when living in a land which has a different culture or norms as compared with what one has been used to.

4 responses to “Burkini – bikini – what is the big deal?”

  1. GP Avatar
    GP

    Exactly! You can’t go to a nudist beach in a bikini and say that this is what I am comfortable with.As I say, On a nudist beach, do as the nudists do. 😛

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  2. Rachna Avatar
    Rachna

    I agree with your point.I can also see how much you would love to have more nudist beaches here 🙂

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  3. Bart Avatar
    Bart

    On certain points, I agree with your post. For instance, if the rules of the swimming pool decree that because of hygene, a head-to-toe garment is not allowed — well, it’s not my swimming pool and I don’t set the rules.On the other hand, I also want to leave people at liberty to wear whatever the hell they want to wear. One of my friends used to comb his hair upwards, for like 30 centimeters, in punk-rock-style. He’d go over street wearing leather pants and a tiny leather jacket over his nude upper torso.Offensive to some? Yes, especially in our tightly-knit rural community.Forbidden? Hell no.I’d say the same goes for bikini’s, head garments, religious jewellery, et cetera. And if there is no strict hygienic rule, then I could not care less if you want to dress yourself in a burqini or a Princess-Leia-style chainmail bikini.

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  4. Rachna Avatar
    Rachna

    Yes Bart. I agree with your point that let the people dress up the way they like in their normal lives. This controversy in France was about a particular incident more related to rules not being followed in a public swimming pool. Let us not give it the color of discrimination of any sort. My point is that we ought to be more careful before saying that someone is racially or religiously intolerant.

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I’m Rachna

Welcome to Rachna says, my first abode on the internet where I share snippets of my mundane life, as I navigate empty nest with my husband. You can also get my recipes at my food blog, Rachna cooks.

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