Thread: Swimmers are told to wear burkinis

Swimmers are told to wear burkinis

British swimming pools are imposing Muslim dress codes in a move described as divisive by Labour MPs.



By Patrick Sawer
Published: 9:00PM BST 15 Aug 2009

UK councils running restricted swimming session for Muslims


Under the rules, swimmers – including non-Muslims – are barred from entering the pool in normal swimming attire.
Instead they are told that they must comply with the "modest" code of dress required by Islamic custom, with women covered from the neck to the ankles and men, who swim separately, covered from the navel to the knees.

Related Articles

• French ban Muslim woman from wearing 'burkini'

The phenomenon runs counter to developments in France, where last week a woman was evicted from a public pool for wearing a burkini – the headscarf, tunic and trouser outfit which allows Muslim women to preserve their modesty in the water.
The 35-year-old, named only as Carole, is threatening legal action after she was told by pool officials in Emerainville, east of Paris, that she could not wear the outfit on hygiene grounds.
But across the UK municipal pools are holding swimming sessions specifically aimed at Muslims, in some case imposing strict dress codes.
Croydon council in south London runs separate one-and-a half-hour swimming sessions for Muslim men and women every Saturday and Sunday at Thornton Heath Leisure Centre.
Swimmers were told last week on the centre's website that "during special Muslim sessions male costumes must cover the body from the navel to the knee and females must be covered from the neck to the ankles and wrists".
There are similar rules at Scunthorpe Leisure Centre, in North Lincolnshire, where "users must follow the required dress code for this session (T-shirts and shorts/leggings that cover below the knee)".
In Glasgow, a men-only swimming session is organised by a local mosque group at North Woodside Leisure Centre, at which swimmers must be covered from navel to knee.
At a women-only class organised by a Muslim teacher at Blackbird Leys Swimming Pool, Oxford, to encourage Muslim women to learn to swim, most participants wear "modest" outfits although normal costumes are permitted.
The dress codes have provoked an angry reaction among critics who say they encourage division and resentment between Muslims and non-Muslims, putting strain on social cohesion.
Ian Cawsey, the Labour MP for the North Lincolnshire constituency of Brigg and Goole, said: "Of course swimming pools have basic codes of dress but it should not go beyond that.
"I don't think that in a local authority pool I should have to wear a particular type of clothes for the benefit of someone else. That's not integration or cohesion."
Labour MP Anne Cryer, whose Keighley, West Yorkshire constituency has a large number of Muslims, said: "Unfortunately this kind of thing has a negative impact on community relations.
"It's seen as yet another demand for special treatment. I can't see why special clothing is needed for what is a single-sex session."
Muslim swimming sessions are also held at a number of state schools around the country. At Loxford School in Ilford, east London, a local Muslim group organises weekly sessions for Muslim men, with the warning that "it is compulsory for the body to be covered between the navel and the knees.
"Anyone not adhering to the dress code or rules within the pool will not be allowed to swim".
The practice of holding special Muslim swimming sessions has led to non-Muslims being turned away.
David Toube, 39 and his five year old son Harry were last year refused entry to Clissold Leisure Centre, in Hackney, east London, after being told the Sunday morning swimming session was for Muslim men only.
Council officials later said staff had made a mistake and both Mr Toube, a corporate lawyer, and his son should have been admitted.
After discovering the rules at Thornton Heath one Croydon resident, 34-year-old Alex Craig, said: "I think it is preposterous that a council should be encouraging this type of segregation over municipal facilities.
"Surely if Muslims want to swim then they should just turn up with their modest swimwear at the same time as everyone else."
Douglas Murray, director of the Centre for Social Cohesion, last night condemned the practice. He said: "This kind of thing is extremely divisive.
"Non-Muslims see these extremist demands as an example of Muslims wanting things to fit into their lifestyle, when there aren't similar things organised for Hindus, Buddhists or Jews.
"It also puts moderate Muslims in an awkward position as it suggests, wrongly, that they are not devout enough, simply because they choose not to cover themselves in a shroud in a pool."
A press officer at Croydon council, which introduced Muslim-only swimming in 2006, claimed that the wording on the website was a mistake and the dress code should be regarded as a suggestion rather than a requirement.
The website was late changed to remove the reference to the dress code.
However, an official at the leisure centre said the dress code remained compulsory.
Earlier, defending the segregation policy, a Croydon council spokesman said: "We appreciate that certain religious groups, such as Muslims, have strict rules on segregation for activities including sports, so in response to requests from the local community, we have been running these sessions at Thornton Heath Leisure Centre."

Originally Posted by mrsquirrel

A press officer at Croydon council, which introduced Muslim-only swimming in 2006

Integrating nicely again.

I saw this news yesterday and thought it was a hoax.

Next step, the veil for every woman in Great Britain.

next step, 5 wives for every man in britain.

I thought the residents of chav land all wore "hoodies" already .

An interesting newsnight piece about Saudi influence in Schools, makes you wonder how widespread this kind of 'education' is. The woman from the School defending pigs and monkey descriptions of Jews and Christians is a 'moderate'. They ALWAYS say 'out of context' quite funny as most of the Koran is out of context anyhow.

next step public stonings, well maybe not the next step but not far away, hey, it's their cultural right.

Another example in Netherland.

Netherlands: Prison only serves halal food.

Islam in Europe: Netherlands: Prison only serves halal food

It's spreading and taking hold very fast.

as the koran says, there wont be peace on earth until everyone follows islam.

that is the aim of islam.

through emigration, settling and having large families islam will slowly become the pre-eminent religion around the world. it would have happened hundreds of years ago but christianity pushed them back.

these days that wont happen and so the prophecies of the koran will come to pass........ unless the americans decide otherwise.

the left leaning european governments are far too accommodating at the expense of their own religions and cultures and the no compromise attitudes of islam and their willingness to be led by hardliners will ensure their dominance in the not so distant future.

they will surely drag the world back to the stone age.

For the sake of equality, there ought to be angry white overweight speedo-clad middle-aged man who feels he no longer understands the world-only sessions.

What the hell is wrong with the UK?!?!?! You reap what you sow.

Oh my Buddha... what ever is wrong with the UK??? I think that this is going way too far. Where's Englands culture going/here?

It is one way to get rid of the missus though. Now we all know not to wear too many clothes when going swimming..(anyone that did there swimming lessons at 'normal' school anyway. circa 1978)
Large heavy clothing = sink like a stone (stoning..)
Take her out to deepish water where she can't touch the bottom and it's "off you go love, have a go on your own".
See you later bon voyage...etc etc etc.. One things for sure she ain't coming back...unless..there's one of these little darlings...
Burka baywatch...

The only burka I'd like to see is this one..
I think the UK will forget about the race riots of the 70's & 80's as they may well be replaced by religious hatred and violence...most people in the UK I believe are utterly sick of this.

Remove their shackles please...

It sounds reasonable to me. In areas where there is a large Muslim population, to have one session a week for Muslims, keeping to their dress code. The whites in their bikinies and Spedos can have it for the rest of the week. After all, Muslims pay thier loacal taxes like everyone else.

Originally Posted by Kapilvastu

It sounds reasonable to me. In areas where there is a large Muslim population, to have one session a week for Muslims, keeping to their dress code. The whites in their bikinies and Spedos can have it for the rest of the week. After all, Muslims pay thier loacal taxes like everyone else.

Segregation on religious grounds. A wonderful idea for the U.K.

Originally Posted by Kapilvastu

Muslims pay their local taxes like everyone else.

After correcting your sentence...sorry just put my tupence worth in about the standard of English in the Gat/Pat exams in Phuket.

Well some do at least!! Yes I'm gonna say it. Loads of the 'asian' communties in the UK don't pay their taxes let alone national health contributions...that was what it was like when I was there 6+ yrs ago. Some of my asian mates even told me such so that may not be the case.

I do agree that they should be able to have sometime in the swimming pool by themselves... how does Friday morning grab you???? bout 5am!!!!

^ Do you have any reason to suppose that Asians pay less of their tax than anyone else or is this just a little more prejudice to spice the dish? By the way, I corrected a few of your mistakes on the Phuket English thread. No, really, it's no bother.

Originally Posted by taxexile

unless the americans decide otherwise.

Wait!! Is that someone else suggesting that the US step into save Europe from itself again?? And protect the rest of the world from a potential life altering threat?? I thought that was what we have been fighting and dying for all this time and getting nothing but flack from the Europeeons and the rest of the world ..

Originally Posted by Dug

Segregation on religious grounds. A wonderful idea for the U.K.

well kind of reverse segregation in the other sense isn't it?
Not being a supporter mind you...

Originally Posted by Mr R Sole

After correcting your sentence...sorry just put my twopence worth in about the standard of English in the Gat/Pat exams in Phuket.

How Ironic...I keep seeing you post this word and originally thought "well it's just a typo" but I've seen it too many times now and in this sentence it was just too rich to pass up..So I took the liberty of correcting it for you..

Well, makes sense.

"Blimey, the bloody frogs are outlawing all kinds of muslim dress... and we hate them frogs, so we'll do the opposite"

"Yeah, brilliant - we'll force everyone to wear the Burkini"

"yeah, everyone. Including the men."

"Don't be daft, not the men..."

"Alright, then the witches too, at least..."

"Yeah, the witches, the witches..."

....

(Dumb brits)

Wait!! Is that someone else suggesting that the US step into save Europe from itself again??

i'm not suggesting, i'm begging them to fucking do it.

the americans may not be the smartest people on this planet, far from it in fact,( the chinese take that prize) but there are times when the world needs the services of a bunch of cigar chomping blinkered redneck lantern jawed macho bullies with more muscle than brains who only too happy to get involved in sorting out the hitlers and the talibans when they get too uppity.

Someone flushed that turd called the UK.

They are caving in to these people when they aren't even close to a majority of the population.

Why is it that this isn't even an issue in the US? There are Muslims there but I very rarely see a burka. I can't even remember the last time I saw one. Is it because the kids integrate easier and say, "fck it, I'd rather wear low waisted jeans".

I guess they, sorry, we are caving in for much the same reasons as we caved in to the unreasonable demands for OAP-only swimming (fucking geriatric cunts destroying our culture), or women-only swimming (fucking women destroying our culture), or children-only swimming (fucking children......

Why is it that this isn't even an issue in the US? There are Muslims there but I very rarely see a burka.

Probably because they'd be shot dead by the police in 5 minutes.

Why is it that this isn't even an issue in the US? There are Muslims there but I very rarely see a burka.

The number of Muslims in the US range from 0.1 to 0.4 % depending on the area. The number of Muslims in lets say the Netherlands is 6% average....