Would you Burqini?

Imagine this: It’s summer, it’s hot, you want to swim but your religion calls for modesty.

Would you wear this?

It's called the Ahiida® Burqini™ (this is the Slim-Fit design) and it covers the whole body except your face. hands and feet. The woman who created it, along with an entire line of similar swim- and sportswear, is Aheda Zanetti, a 38-year-old Muslim woman and mother of four who remembers growing up (she was raised in Australia) and wanting to participate in sports, but was limited "due to cultural and religious beliefs" (according to her website.)

The Burqini reminds me of a story I read about Bahrain sprinter Ruqaya Al Ghasara, who, in December of 2006, won the 15th Annual Asian Games running in a hijab - a full Muslim headscarf. She won the gold medal in the 200-m run in 23.19 seconds. Note the Nike swoosh boldly emblazoned on her outfit.

So I'm wondering, are these outfits uber-progressive, in that they are promoting the inclusion of certain women in sports and making them feeling comfortable and proud? Yes, I think. At the same time, is it fair to pit one woman, covered head to toes in gear, running a relay against another woman in just a sports bra and tiny shorts? These are people who shave their arm hair off to decrease wind resistance! Then again, Al Ghasara said that her outift enables her to run "even faster." And do such outfits draw undue attention to the very women who desire modesty...if you were on a beach and two people walked by, one in a teeny bikini, and one in a royal blue Burqini, which would you stare at?

I'm so curious to hear your thoughts - I look forward to your comments.

Comments

I applaud the designer of the Burqini for making sports accessible to all women.
As a former lifeguard, I wouldn't be happy if I had to pull one of these women out of the water. All of the added fabric and weight could be a danger in a life-threatening situation.
But I'm glad that there are options for women who need more modest clothing, and I wish that teeny bikinis were a little less popular. I don't need to see everything you've got!

I was raised Muslim, but I don't wear the hijab. My sister is considering it. I guess I understand why Muslim women would want to wear the Burqini. It is a reflection of their devotion to Allah, and by covering your body, you're not drawing attention to yourself, you're not a distraction, unlike women who wear itsy bitsy bikinis. For that reason, I don't think I would stare at a woman wearing the Burqini. But I do think there's a certain element of curiosity as to what it's like to be covered. How do women who are covered deal with body image issues? Or is it that we should respect our bodies as they are, as they were created by Allah? Are there more important things like our faith? Or do you consider your body one of the greatest gifts you were given to you, that you should care for it, not be consumed by how it looks?

Yes, Mia, this is what I was getting at - the curiosity factor it might elicit. And you bring up a much more significant point: Body image issues for women who keep their bodies covered (I've recently heard eating disorders are on the rise among Orthodox Jewish women who keep pretty much everything covered and also wear special wigs.)The whole thing ABSOLUTELY sparks the questions: aren't there more crucial elements of our life, like faith, love, humanity; why do we focus so much on looks? Can you, or any other Muslim WG readers, elaborate a bit for us---are eating disorders and body image problems a major issue in this community?

BostonVixen - interesting point about the material possibly being cumbersome in a rescue. I bet as a lifeguard, tho, your adrenaline would kick in and, combined with your strength, you'd do a phenom job :-)

While I'm glad that the option is there for women who want it, I hate what the burqini, or forced wearing of a hajib or other covering implies about both men and women-that women can't be trusted not to conduct themselves with propriety with men and that men can't be trusted not to rape any woman they see? that horrifies me. but I do think that any effort to bring activity to women who want it is better than none

I'm not Muslim but for sun protection (and skin protection when surfing), I swim in a rash guard which covers me from wrists to high neck to knees. I also feel more comfortable being that covered and it doesn't impede my performance in the water at all. I guess the big difference between what I wear and the Burqini is the tightness (my rashguard is more fitted) but hey - with UPF 50+ these women certainly won't be getting skin cancer! I agree with BostonVixen about the teeny-tiny bikinis. I don't need to see how good of a waxer you've got;)

Ha! Charlotte, what a great point re. the skin cancer protection bonus.

I think it's great that someone so forward thinking designed this so muslim women can participate in such a great summer activity. Many muslim women view the burqa as we view jeans and t-shirts, completely normal. They just don't feel the need to expose everything as Americans do. To me, it takes more courage to wear that and look different here then to throw on a bikini like every other female. Burqas can be beautiful especially when they're accessorized. Bravo to the creator of this new suit!!

I agree with Kat - I think it's wonderful that someone designed something that offers Muslim women who believe in dressing modestly, etc. more options to participate in sports and other summer activities. From a practical standpoint, I do think it would be more challening to run a race covered from head to toe. BUT, with new technical fabrics on the market, I bet they can make pretty breathable and comfortable sportswear. I just like to see more women - regardless of race, class, sexuality - out there participating!

I do wonder, however, if women who cover up do not also experience just as much anxiety about their bodies? It seems to me that women everywhere are having more body image issues. I would be curious to learn more about the globalization of body image woes.

I'm with Karma - the insinuation that men can't control themselves around an exposed womens body aggravates me. their problem not ours. women should be able to wear what they want. be it a bikini or this burqini but they sholud choose.however personaly i'd rather look at at a bikini or tankini than the burqini. i feel hot just looking at it. it cant be cool enough. also good point by the ex lifegaurd.
on a side note kinda related; i ride the nyc subway and every day there is some nut job who wants to ram his religious beliefs down everyones throat( at 5am on a crowded train i dont wanna hear it. in fact i never do) anyway yesterday this guy gets on and starts raving about how he wants all the ladies on the train know that the pant (his words) causes men to commit adultery. i was on my way to the park for a run wearing shorts and a vest. whoops!!! i guess loads of men went off & cehated on their wives. head case!!! he was christian i believe.

There's a Muslim lifeguard in Australia who wears a burqini, and she's admitted that the fabric slows her down in the water. I hope she doesn't lose people on her watch.

I think the burqini is the opposite end of the spectrum from a bikini, both are extremes worn by people who want attention. Two sides of a coin. There are so many styles of conservative bathing suits available these days, including board shorts and tankinis and swimskirts. Some people like to show off their piety the way others like to show off their bods.

While women in burqinis may be avoiding skin cancer, many covered women in Muslim countries have Vitamin D deficiency from lack of exposure to the sun.

Globalization of body image woes? Bridget, what do you mean by that?

I found your comments interesting, folks.
I'm not a Muslim, I'm a Christian, but I also believe in modesty and was impressed by their new swimsuit. Some of you made comments about men not being able to control themselves... That is definitely something most women feel like reacting about. But then, put it in another light, of the teachings of Jesus(and Allah, Do you REALLY want to be the want responsible for causing the weak guy to fall? Sure, he should be able to control himself, but then again, men are made more visual than women, and if you were an upright guy whose body was turned on by sight, wouldn't you be thankful for the gal who didn't show off everything by her itsy bitsey bikini? Personally, I take delight(pride?) in being my husband's own private treasure, and giving him the gift of knowing that there aren't 100+ other men who've lusted after me.
Bridget, In a society that focuses on body, there are indeed, many women who cover up who are just as hung up on body and self image. But not all.

Did anyone else see the Burqini feature in either Marie Claire or Glamour? A woman wore it around the beach all day, and she had a photo team follow and document. But anyway...
I personally think the Burqini is a great idea for those women left behind in sports due to religious restrictions. It allows them to lead a life they want to live without compromising their values and priorities. We're always talking about how sports empower women... why can't Muslim women be empowered through sports as well?

To address Bridget's question about global body woes... For the record, Marie Claire (this time I'm sure) featured an article on plastic surgery this month... Guess which country has the highest percentage of nose jobs? Here's a hint... it's not the US and its somewhere the Burqini will be a big hit... Iran.

Fascinating Monique! You don't happen to have links for any of those articles do you? It would be interesting to read.

As to the body image of burqa-clad women, I have no personal experience but I read "Princess: life behind the veil" by Jean Sasson that is a biography of a Saudi princess. In that book anyhow they definitely had the same types of low self esteem and body image issues as we do here in America.

I so agree with Lisa on covering up. I find that covering up is more "Attractive" to men. My husband has made comments about how little women wear these days. He feels they are advertising open for business. Women seem to feel to be "noticed" they have to wear less clothing. I disagree. Your true colors will show if you are true to yourself. I wouldn't wear this personally since I believe I should only wear long skirts. I also feel they are perfect for those that would enjoy the beach but need to limit thier exposure to the sun. I've seen bathing suits that allow tanning threw them so I'm sure there is material that can be used to make an outfit to suit almost anyone! >^,,^

I'm really enjoying the dialogue. I looked for the Marie Claire link but couldn't find it, but the issue is on stands now I believe.

My two cents re. the globalization of body image: When I was researching my book, I decided to write a chapter on how race and ethnicity play into a woman's body image. I interviewed Latinas, African-American women, Indian women and more. Everyone had something they weren't happy with or wished they could make better. From the 60-year-old Hispanic woman who found her modesty challenged in the locker room by young women walking around in thongs, to the Thai woman I saw rubbing baby powder over her olive skin to give it a pearly, lightened effect (at the very same time I myself was applying tanner!) - body image is an across-the-board phenomenon, indeed.

"Do you REALLY want to be the want responsible for causing the weak guy to fall? "

I'm sorry this is late - but I was just re-reading the commments and this just jumped out me.
A woman is NEVER responsible for 'causing' a weak man to fall. People are all responsible for their own behavior - that's why free will exists. If men aren't able to control themselves around women - then they should the ones kept inside, covered head to toe wearing chasity belts. If this were the case then there'd be a serious problem in areas where topless and nude beaches are popular.

Great for the designers. Comment for Leslie. Although body image is a concern for most women, Black, White, Asian, Latino - I find that race and ethnicity does seem to play a part in how comfortable women are with their body types. It's also which part of the world you're from...

Progressive? Give me a break. This religious nonsense is about as regressive as you can get.

Grow up people!! God is not great, Allah shmalla jesus shmeezuz. You profess your religion because you were RAISED in it. That is all. Grow out of it and get some damn sense.

Some might say the teeny bikinis objectify women. I'd be more inclined to agree if women were actually forced to wear them.

The 'burkini', meanwhile, is simply offensive. The idea that a woman's 'modesty' is only preserved only if her hands and feet are exposed is insulting and misogynistic, as is the idea that she is somehow responsible for provoking uncontrollable lust in men. A quicker fix for male lust would be covering the man's eyes rather than the woman's entire body, but no one suggests that.

The burkini is also laughably impractical as swimwear. I can't imagine how one can swim without sinking like a stone in one, and I shudder to think what a devout muslim woman smells like after an afternoon at the beach in one.

Once again, the muslim world demonstrates that it can defy modernity and reason while insulting women at the same time. Yay Islam!

1) I think that if something is not forced upon you, and you choose to do it and it does not harm yourself or others, then more power to you for having belief in something and sticking to it.
2) Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but it appears to me people who speak in the likes of "religion is a bunch of crap" are about as close-minded and viciously opinionated as those who rant about religious righteousness on a subway.
3) It's a shame we as women don't support one another for having the freedom to make choices. I salute my Muslim sisters who decided on the veil because of their love of God, and I also salute my superstar sisters who can rock the stage with their voices.

To each her own - it's about letting people choose their path, not telling them what idiots they are for choosing it. Freedom to choose is precious. You are as oppressive as those who victimize others when you choose to hurl such disparaging comments at others who are simply following their path.

Take a chill pill.

There is really not much new here, look at beach pictures from the early 20th century (google image it folks) and women's (and men's) 'swimming costumes' are covering nearly as much. But think how heavy they got when wet (I think most were wool) I guess in a way then they become like training aids for competitive aquatics-it's like having weights on your arms and legs.

I love wearing my swimsuit. I bought it from www.mycozzie.com
It really is quite simply fabulous. I went to the beach yesterday and saw many other women wearing similar. well done mycozzie.

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