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French officials ban Muslim woman from swimming pool

Monday, 17 August 2009

French officials ban Muslim woman from swimming pool

A Muslim woman has been banned by French officials from using a public swimming pool because she wanted to wear a swimsuit that covers up her entire body.

Last month, the woman had swum in the pool in Emerainville, wearing a "burkini," which is like a wetsuit with a hood, however, she was prevented from swimming in August, by staff who were concerned about hygeine.

Swimming pool management official Daniel Guillaume was reported by AFP as saying that the woman had been told that swimming whilst fully dressed was against the rules.

The French woman, who has been identified only as Carole, had converted to Islam, and had purchased the swimsuit in Dubai so that she would not have to expose any of her body whilst swimming in public.

Le Parisien newspaper quoted her as claiming that the actions of the swimming pool staff amounted to “segregation,” and she added:"I will fight to try to change things. And if I see that the battle is lost, I cannot rule out leaving France."

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