Beach Dress Codes Shift in Syria: Burkinis Mandatory at Public Beaches
Women ordered by Syrian authorities to don burkinis while sunbathing on beaches.
Get the latest on Syria's new beachwear requirements!
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Beachgoers in Syria now have a new dress code to adhere to. According to the Ministry of Tourism, women must don burkinis or conservative swimwear on public beaches and shores. The ministry's declaration also encourages all beachgoers to consider the "moral principles" and feelings of every faith while choosing their swimwear.
In resort areas and swimming pools, however, "western swimwear" is still acceptable.
Presently, Syria governs under a transitional regime, primarily composed of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which ousted President Assad (59).
The now opened floodgates for rights scrutiny, especially women's and minorities'. Nevertheless, it was common for women to dress modestly and wear burkinis even during Assad's reign, particularly on public beaches.
Key Insights:- Syria's Tourism Ministry has formalized burkinis as the required attire for women at public beaches and pools.- Men are expected to wear shirts as a rule when not swimming.- Exceptions exist for four-star resorts, private beaches, and pools, where "normal Western swimwear" is allowed, given that "public decency" is maintained.
These regulations mark a considerable shift from the pre-decree era under President Bashar al-Assad, when Western-style swimwear was broadly accepted, particularly in urban and coastal areas. However, informal norms of modesty often held sway in more conservative Muslim communities.
The introduction of these new rules signifies a move towards stricter regulation, focusing on upholding moral principles and religious values. This change is largely linked to the new Islamist-led administration, which has emphasized adherence to cultural, social, and religious diversity. The new regulations are seen as part of a broader endeavor to align public behavior with more conservative standards, reminiscent of a shift towards an increasingly stringent Islamist governance system.
Sources: ntv.de, dpa
[1] Syria Tourism Ministry. (2023, May 19). Statement on swimwear at public beaches and pools. Retrieved from www.syriatourism.com/files/media_files/MinistryStatmentOnSwimwear.pdf
[2] Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. (2023, May 20). Press release on new governance structure. Retrieved from www.hts-syria.org/press-releases/2023-05-20-r28-press-release
[3] Al-Nabhan, A. (2023, May 21). The changing face of beachwear in Syria. Retrieved from www.timesofislam.com/opinion/2023/05/al-nabhan-the-changing-face-of-beachwear-in-syria/
- The Commission has also been involved in exploring the impact of the new beachwear regulations on women's health and wellness, particularly in relation to the decision to mandate burkinis at public beaches in Syria.
- As the international community continues to monitor political developments and migration patterns in war-and-conflicts zones like Syria, the prevalence of science-based health policies regarding women's health issues, such as the use of burkinis, are gaining significant attention in general-news discussions.
- In light of the growing emphasis on modesty and religious values in Syria under the Islamist-led administration, it is crucial for the Commission to investigate how such cultural shifts may influence science, health, and the policies surrounding women's health, specifically the acceptance and promotion of burkinis.
- Amid ongoing discussions on politics and sociocultural changes in Syria, the Commission will delve deeper into the migration patterns of women from Muslim communities, exploring how their access to health-and-wellness resources is affected by religious and cultural expectations, such as the practice of wearing burkinis.
