Syria orders women to wear burkinis on public beaches
Women in Syria must wear burkinis or swimwear that covers their body at public beaches and swimming pools, its tourism ministry has declared.
It is the first time Damascus' Islamist authorities have issued guidelines for women to observe conservative dress codes since Bashar al-Assad's autocratic regime was toppled in December, amid concerns the country's new rulers could implement a more religiously conservative agenda.
The new restrictions were part of a wider decree that detailed public safety guidelines for beaches and swimming pools, such as not spending too long in the sun.
Syrians should wear 'appropriate swimwear that respects public decency and the feelings of different segments of society', it said, which required 'more modest swimsuits'.
The order specified that women should wear 'the burkini or swimming clothes that cover the body more'.
Men are required to wear shirts under the guidance, which said that 'topless clothing is not permitted in public areas outside of swimming areas, hotel lobbies, and food service areas'.
'In public areas outside of beaches and pools, it is preferable to wear loose clothing, covering shoulders and knees, and avoid transparent or overly tight clothing,' it added.
Although 'normal Western swimwear' is still permitted at private clubs and luxury hotels, it said the new rules should be followed 'with adherence to public morals and within the limits of public taste'.
The ministry said 'lifeguards and beach supervisors' would monitor compliance to the guidelines. Repercussions for rule breakers are unclear.
The crackdown reflects the influence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) the de-facto Islamist coalition, designated a terrorist organisation by the UN the US, EU and UK, who led the lighting offensive that ousted Assad's regime and are now running Syria.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria's new president, has been working to assure global leaders that he won't restrict women's rights in the new Syria.
Sunni Islamist group HTS – which has its roots in al-Qaeda – claims it has a more nuanced approach to implementing Sharia law than other hardline regimes in the Middle East.
For example, Iran's morality police have brutally cracked down on women and girls perceived as failing to comply with the mandatory hijab laws and regulations, using public flogging and beatings as punishment.
But al-Sharaa is treading a fine line, with observers abroad keeping a keen eye on signs that Syria could implement stricter Islamic laws.
In December, he provoked a social media furore when he requested that a young woman who approached him for a photo covered her hair before taking a picture.
Syria is working to rebuild after it was ravaged by 14 years of civil war.
Last month, US president Donald Trump promised to lift economic sanctions on Syria, representing a major US policy shift toward the country.
'I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness,' said Mr Trump.
'It's their time to shine. We're taking them all off,' he added. 'Good luck Syria, show us something very special.'
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