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| Burkini ban: Designer who invented the swimwear says it has been 'misunderstood' by French authorities | Burkini ban: Designer who invented the swimwear says it has been 'misunderstood' by French authorities |
| (1 day later) | |
| The woman who invented the burkini has said French authorities have misunderstood why the swimsuit was created and urged them not to turn it into a symbol of division. | The woman who invented the burkini has said French authorities have misunderstood why the swimsuit was created and urged them not to turn it into a symbol of division. |
| Her comments come amid international outcry after the mayors of Cannes, Villeneuve-Loubet and the Corsican seaside resort of Sisco banned it last week, arguing the burkini, which leaves only the face, hands and feet exposed, defies French laws on secularism. | Her comments come amid international outcry after the mayors of Cannes, Villeneuve-Loubet and the Corsican seaside resort of Sisco banned it last week, arguing the burkini, which leaves only the face, hands and feet exposed, defies French laws on secularism. |
| Images of a woman being ordered to undress by armed guard on one beach shocked the world. | Images of a woman being ordered to undress by armed guard on one beach shocked the world. |
| “They have misunderstood what the burkini is all about,” said burkini designer Aheda Zanetti, adding that anyone, no matter their religion, could wear it. | “They have misunderstood what the burkini is all about,” said burkini designer Aheda Zanetti, adding that anyone, no matter their religion, could wear it. |
| “I hope that they understand that it's not something that symbolises anything - that anyone can wear it, that it's not harming anything in any way.” | “I hope that they understand that it's not something that symbolises anything - that anyone can wear it, that it's not harming anything in any way.” |
| With sun and surf an integral part of the Australian lifestyle, Zanetti designed the swimsuit in 2004 so Muslim women, who choose to wear a head covering like the hijab, could participate in water activities and other sports. | With sun and surf an integral part of the Australian lifestyle, Zanetti designed the swimsuit in 2004 so Muslim women, who choose to wear a head covering like the hijab, could participate in water activities and other sports. |
| “The burkini was designed for freedom, flexibility and confidence. It was designed to integrate into Australian society,” she said in a phone interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation from Sydney. | “The burkini was designed for freedom, flexibility and confidence. It was designed to integrate into Australian society,” she said in a phone interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation from Sydney. |
| Zanetti said she is perplexed the burkini has attracted so much attention, given its normalcy in Australia. | Zanetti said she is perplexed the burkini has attracted so much attention, given its normalcy in Australia. |
| “Look what's happening in Syria or in Italy,” she said, referring to the ongoing Syrian conflict and an earthquake that killed more than 70 people in Italy on Wednesday. | “Look what's happening in Syria or in Italy,” she said, referring to the ongoing Syrian conflict and an earthquake that killed more than 70 people in Italy on Wednesday. |
| “I don't understand why a piece of fabric is taking over all of these really important issues?” Lebanese-born Zanetti said. | “I don't understand why a piece of fabric is taking over all of these really important issues?” Lebanese-born Zanetti said. |
| “Why do women have to be punished for wearing something that represents freedom, and health, fitness and enjoyment?” | “Why do women have to be punished for wearing something that represents freedom, and health, fitness and enjoyment?” |
| The burkini debate is particularly sensitive in France, where the full face niqab and burqa veils were banned in 2010. | The burkini debate is particularly sensitive in France, where the full face niqab and burqa veils were banned in 2010. |
| Tensions between communities have heightened following deadly attacks by Islamist militants. | Tensions between communities have heightened following deadly attacks by Islamist militants. |
| Last month, a Tunisian killed 85 people when he drove a truck into crowds in Nice and a Roman Catholic priest had his throat cut in church by two French Muslims. And in November, 130 people were killed by bombings and shootings in Paris. | Last month, a Tunisian killed 85 people when he drove a truck into crowds in Nice and a Roman Catholic priest had his throat cut in church by two French Muslims. And in November, 130 people were killed by bombings and shootings in Paris. |
| Zanetti, who has lived in Australia for more than 40 years, designed the burkini after watching her niece, who chose to wear a hijab, struggle to find lightweight clothes for her school netball games. | Zanetti, who has lived in Australia for more than 40 years, designed the burkini after watching her niece, who chose to wear a hijab, struggle to find lightweight clothes for her school netball games. |
| By using a hood to cover the head, rather than a burqa veil, Zanetti said the burkini had become an option for non-Muslim women. | By using a hood to cover the head, rather than a burqa veil, Zanetti said the burkini had become an option for non-Muslim women. |
| With additional reporting by Reuters | With additional reporting by Reuters |