The education director of the Aust-Agder county in Norway decided that Muslim students will not be granted additional exemptions from swimming classes, if the reason is because they do not want to show bare skin. The education director cited that there is no legal basis for this kind of exemption, but suggested that Muslim girls ought to participate under their own conditions and convictions, and noted that there are optional swimming suits that students can wear to cover the body according to Muslim law.
In addition, gender-segregated swimming groups are among the recommendations made by the education director, so as to affirm the necessity of such sports participation, but adapting it to sensitive needs of students. Municipal council member Josef Haeier added that swimming does not conflict with Islam, but a starting point might include providing alternatives to Muslim students.
