Non-Muslims told to don "burkinis"

Then I think Mulsims should be told to wear regular bikinis duirng NON-Muslim swimming sessions. Or try skinny dipping.

Jihad Watch:

U.K.: Non-Muslims told to don "burkinis" and other "modest" attire to swim during "Muslim" swimming sessions

Submitting to segregation is not encouraging "integration." Not into British society, at least.

"Swimmers are told to wear burkinis," by Patrick Sawer for the Telegraph, August 15:

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.

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."...