Skip to main content

Egypt's legislators divided on burkinis

Debates about whether women should be allowed to wear burkinis in swimming pools have been reignited in Egypt as the Arab country hopes it can use the summer season to compensate the losses its tourism sector sustained because of the Russian war on Ukraine.
The pool area at the Hilton Hurghada Plaza Hotel is seen at a Red Sea resort in Hurghada, Egypt, June 19, 2020.

CAIRO — Burkinis, Islamic swimsuits covering women's whole bodies and hair, have recently been authorized in a French city.

In Egypt, the same swimwear is still debatable and debates on it have intensified recently, especially after the Senate, the upper chamber of the Egyptian parliament, discussed the case of some local hotels and resorts turning away women who do not want to show some skin as they go swimming.  

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.