Zeman vs. Burkinis: Women Should Cover Up Depending on Size

The Czech president on burkinis in Prague pools and why some women should cover up no matter what

Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas

Written by Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas Published on 29.08.2017 15:31:28 (updated on 29.08.2017) Reading time: 1 minute

Daily News

During his weekly TV appearance Czech president Miloš Zeman touched on a topic that has recently divided Czech society – the veiling of Muslim women and, specifically, the appearance of burkinis in Prague public swimming areas.

“In Czech swimming pools there is no reason for anyone bathing in Arab clothes,” Zeman said.

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On the same issue of concealing the body in a swimsuit in accordance with Islam, the President said during the interview that “it depends on what the woman looks like.”

He further explained his remarks: 

“There are women who should be covered as thoroughly as possible, depending on what their proportions …And then there are those girls, where I would tear down the burkini and where I would then be the one who would demonstrate the non-usage of burkinis.”

A seemingly amused moderator was rebuked by the President. “It is not a humorous solution, it is a realistic solution.”

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Zeman said that if women do not respect the rules of a swimming pool, with regards to burkinis, in particular, they should leave, adding that it is an issue of hygiene.

The Czech Republic has not instituted a burkini ban; photos circulating on social media this summer showing burkini-clad women at a Prague water park demonstrated the greatly divided public opinion on this sensitive issue.

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