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…
According to sales reports and the Dutch National Platform of Swimming Pools, use of the burkini in the Netherlands has now reached “normal” status, as most swimming pools in the country now allow them to be worn. One burkini store in Meppel has hired extra staff to meet increased demand, and the Woordman Sportswear company…
Swedish swimming pools have begun to rent out burkinis, or full-body swimsuits that cover everything but the face, hands, and feet. The move is a nod to women who wish to not reveal too much of their body but still wish to take part in the recreational and exercise benefits of swimming faculties. For 30…
A recent Swiss ruling against exempting Muslim students from compulsory, mixed-gender swimming classes has sparked debate over respect of the religious belief of minorities. On October 24, a Swiss court turned down a request by a Muslim father to exempt his two sons from taking part in mixed swimming classes. The ruling stated that equality…
The mayor of the Amsterdam neighborhood Slotervaart, Ahmed Marcouch, has said that public schools ought to offer more space for religion, particularly Islam. According to Marouch, this would take some of the burden and responsibility off of the mosque, by allowing for a more open and public practice of religion for Muslim children and young…
