Sydney.– It's not itsy-bitsy or teenie- weenie but the Burqini may prove to be just as popular as its polka-dotted predecessor.
The modest bathing costume is designed for water-going Muslim women who, because of religious values, cannot show more than their face, hands and feet in public.
A cross between a burqa and a bikini, the polyester suit is made up of pants and a long- sleeved thigh or knee-length A-line top with head covering. It is water-repellent, UV-resistant and comes with Arab designs.
Its Australian designer, Aheda Zanetti, has been swamped with thousands of inquiries about the product from Europe, Britain, the United States, Asia and the Middle East. Zanetti said she started producing the Burqini as Muslim women were missing out on sports because of their dress code.
"Not only does it look good, not only is it practical to use, it feels good to use – it's extremely comfortable," she said. Before the Burqini, Muslim women either avoided swimming or tried to swim in full clothes.
"Every day people are walking into my (Sydney) shop and saying, `Finally, I don't have to watch my husband and kids playing any more; I don't have to stand on the sideline'," Zanetti said.
Retail stores have not yet been set up but the Burqini is available online for $NZ192 to $214, plus shipping. Christchurch Muslim Naaz Shah said the Burqini was a great idea, especially for young Muslim women at school.
"Some of the schools have swimming programmes – it's like compulsory – so for those type of things, the Muslim girls must really have a tough time."
Written by: KB, 15 Jan 2007 11:27 AM
From: Amsterdam
This looks like nice swimwear. I just hope that it is comfortable to swim in. I see nothing wrong with it. Other religions have something similar to conform to their beliefs. One thing is for sure it will cut down on skin cancer.
Written by: Karen, 15 Jan 2007 7:20 PM
From: Texas
Great idea!
Written by: NADEEMA, 17 Jan 2007 2:38 AM
From: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRIC
PLEASE ADVISE HOW WOMEN IN SOUTH AFRICA CAN ORDER THE BURQINI
Written by: Zainudin, 17 Jan 2007 3:45 AM
From: RSA
Excellent Idea, was always hoping they would come up with something like this. Once again shows the practicality of Islam.
From: SF
I thought these looked familiar - they're the surgical outfits from Star Trek. Now we know Beverly Crusher was an Islamic fashion designer with a practical mind.
From: Johannesburg South-Africa
This is perfect, for those guys who got problems with it please stop being a PV. Women must be respected: for you who find it being disturbing you're the PV.
Fear no one and nothing but Allah the Creator of all.
It is our Creator who has put the rules not man if you still have a problem dont start with us the followers take it up with the Creator "God".
Thanks for the suits man now women can "openly" join in with their families on swimming without worrien about some PV's watching.Regards
Written by: ANEESA, 18 Jan 2007 3:35 AM
From: SOUTH AFRICA
FANTASTIC IDEA, PRACTICING ISLAM HAS NEVER MEANT THAT WOMEN HAVE TO SUFFER , THEY ALLOWED TO HAVE ALL THE FUN, AND STILL BE MODEST, WHICH ALSO AVOIDS STRANGE MEN INTERFERRING. HOW SOON WILL BURQINI BE AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA! ALL THE BEST
From: South Africa
It is obvious in the sarcastic comments I read that people are OBLIVIOUS to the rest of the world.People have choices ....respect THAT . Personally I think its great .
From: Port Elizabeth, RSA.
It's a fantastic idea. I would love to have one. My daughters all love it and express a desire to buy it. How are we able to purchase these items here in South Africa.
Written by: Nadia.B., 19 Jan 2007 10:03 AM
From: South Africa
Dear Mr Wijs - Cambridge
I'm so sorry that you find this deeply disturbing, archaic & strange. However, contrary to your belief, as Muslim women, we do not despise ourselves. Infact, we love ourselves enough to choose to liberate ourselves from having perverts derive sexual pleasure from seeing our half-naked bodies. I am thus thrilled to announce that no longer do you need to view the future with fear and despair. Instead, celebrate our courage to free ourselves!
From: Cape Town, RSA
This suit for Muslim women is what I've been looking for for about 10 years. I can now go swimming again. How wonderful. This means so much to me, you cannot begin to understand. I can now join a gym and not have to worry about not being able to do some of the exercises or activities. Thanks for bringing it to my attention
Written by: Fareeda , 19 Jan 2007 10:25 AM
From: Cape Town
How can a woman that wishes to cover her body have despise for herself. Just because she has no desire for you to perve over her, doesn't make her hate herself, It is apparent in your comments that you are ignorant and once again it has been proven that anything that is different is wrong!
Written by: Zaheera, 19 Jan 2007 10:33 AM
From: South Africa
What a great idea. We can finally swim without strange men ogling our bodies. Im Muslim and dont "despise" my body but the only man i love ogling it is my husband. So if its available in South Africa, I would love to buy one.
Written by: Fatima, 21 Jan 2007 10:32 AM
From: Johannesburg
This is so great. I wonder how we can get this down here in South Africa.
I'm glad that someone out there took the initiative to create something like this.
:)
I'm over the moon about this outfit, and if it comes to SA, I will definitely buy one.
Written by: aslam, 22 Jan 2007 3:34 AM
From: South Africa
This is a fantastic idea. It provides our Muslim women with an opportunity to participate in watersports with confidence and dignity.
We need to look at ways of making this garment accessible and affordable to the Muslim female masses around the world. This could be done by way of distribution centres around the world. The majority of us do not have access to the internet.
Let me know what you think of this idea !! I am confident that your venture will be hugely successful
Written by: ZAGHRA , 22 Jan 2007 12:39 PM
From: CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA
GREAT IDEA PEOPLE SHOULD REALISE THER IS NOTHING BARBARIC ABOUT THIS IT JUST A MUSLIM WOMEN CAN NOW SWIM WHEREVER AND WHENEVER SHE WANTS TO WITHOUT EXPOSING HER AURAT
Written by: Matheena, 23 Jan 2007 7:16 AM
From: Doha, Qatar
I love it.
Thanks for designing this wonderful suit. I may be the first one wearing it here on the Arabian Gulf. I look forward to seeing more muslim women join their families in outdoor water sports.
Written by: K.DOLLIE, 23 Jan 2007 12:28 PM
From: CAPE TOWN
MR LEE WIJS IT SEEMS THAT U HAVE A ISSUE WITH WOMEN DOING WHAT MAKES THEM HAPPY. WE ARE ALL MUSLIM WOMEN AND WE CAN CHOOSE WHAT MAKES U COMFEE.
ALSO HOW WOULD U FEEL IF SUM1 LOOKED AT YOUR WIFE WITH LUST BECAUSE OF THE WAY SHE IS DRESSED?
IF AM A MUSLIM I HAVE NOTHING BAD 2 SAY ABOUT ANY OTHER RELIGION SO Y IS THIS SO DISTURBING?
WHEN IS IT ON THE MARKET IN CAPE TOWN?
AND HOW MUCH WILL IT BE?
From: Buckingham, England
Nadia.B. -- I am not a pervert. You flatter youself to think that a normal healthy man would find pleasure gazing upon you no matter what your state of dress.
From: South Africa
This is a great idea. How does one go about purchasing these suits.
From: South Africa
Get a life Wilfred Sheed and Mr. Lee Wijs. Why is it that no one tolerates anything remotely related to Islam?
I hope they make the Burkini in red and yellow... for those women wanting to become life-guards. ;-)
Written by: RM, 2 Feb 2007 9:36 AM
From: Jhbg, South Africa
I can't wait to buy one! This is what we've been waiting for! As for you illiterate & inconsiderate people out there who don't take the time to really understand our beautiful religion, pls make the time to understand before passing comments.
Written by: samantha, 3 Feb 2007 8:24 PM
From: rossevelt
ridicolous! really pathetic!!
Written by: Suzy, 5 Feb 2007 6:06 AM
From: Australia
karen i think you are i one who despises herself. it is you who feels the need to follow a trend or some mans idea of dressing. we muslims have a mind of our own and we do not need to be told what to wear and how to feel. it is our democratic choice and we do not need you to push your lifestyle on us. it seems you hate our way of life and want to change our way of living and our freedom.
does that sound familiar?
Written by: Kaz, 25 Feb 2007 11:32 PM
From: Sydney
I think its great
From: Cape Town South Africa
This is so great please were can I buy it in South Africa so I can also have some real fun on the beach.
From: oxford
I think that women's swimming suits are right because they can stop cancer and spread of viruses. I think they look like Baywatch, I like the hat-thing. I think the swim suit is good for the muslim people because it's their religion. it's a free country i think muslim women should be allowed to swim.
Written by: Zurina H, 28 Mar 2007 5:31 AM
From: South Africa
I think its great! And to all the ignorant people out there, dont let your ignorance blind you from the facts. If for one minute you can take the time to learn something about the next religion you would understand and accept rather than discriminate against. Muslim women are proud strong women and should be admired for defying the norm of society and standing up for their rights!
Written by: z, 28 Mar 2007 12:13 PM
From: MN, USA
I think this is AWESOME!
to those of you who are sitting there saying that Muslim women hate themselves just because we don't go out dressed like a bunch of hoocie mamas and we don't want to let it all hang out you are WRONG!!! I certainly don't hate myself and I wear a scarf because I have the self respect to not lower myself to letting men see my whole body to try and get a man.
BTW incase you didn't notice this was MADE BY A WOMAN!!!!
GO BURQINIS!!!!!
From: United States, new jersey
This idea is brilliant. In islam freedom is everywhere and happiness will always be there. No one can stop muslim women from doing anything because they already know the creator of the worlds, Allah. This suit is great and still follows the rules of Islam. I will like my wife to wear it someday. Ishallah. Muslim women don't have to show skin to prove that they are pretty, it is obvious that muslim women are beautiful only the believers of Islam will say so. others won't because they are ashame
From: Canada
Alah created a womens body.To cover up one of Alah's greastest creations, under the pretense of modesty or schieiding oneself from the eyes of those of His creation, is
an insult to Alah himself.
Written by: FH, 4 May 2007 1:45 AM
From: USA
This is great! As a swimming enthusiast and scuba diver I have been hoping something like this would be available for years now. I have been getting something similar custom made for a while and am so glad that it will now be available. Does anyone know how I can order it in the US? The article mentions it is available online; does anyone know from what website? Thanx!
Written by: fatima, 3 Oct 2007 12:52 AM
From: malaysia
this is fantastic....I have seen something similar in malaysia but not this beautiful.... I do hope that it will be available everywhere soon, I would really love to get one so i can swim again!!!
From: dubai
I think this is a brilliant idea. I bought the one from splashgear and it is very uncomfortable.
I bought something similar in dubai. I really like it, in fact I LOVE it!!! If you want something that is really stylish and beautifull you should have a look at mycozzie. You can buy it only on the internet www.mycozzie.com
It has change my life, in the sense of now having family and friends over to enjoy our pool with the children. It means that I no longer have to swim only with my family.
Written by: rubiyah, 5 Jan 2008 7:34 AM
From: Singapore
Yes, I agreed with Zanetti saying that we Muslim women were missing out on sports because of our dress code. Infact, I have been manufacturing modest, Islamic swimwear since 2006 but mainly targeting at the Southeast Asian market. For more info, please visit my online store at:
http://www.rubyzent.com or e-mail me at admin@rubyzent.com if you have any enquiry.
Written by: tarataqa, 8 Jun 2008 3:52 AM
From: United States
I believe everyone has the right to choose how they dress (modest or immodest) that is up to themselves.
The problem is when children are raised where hajib is a duty and taught "Allah/God won't love me if I displease him by covering my whole body. Therefore I have no choice after all".
How does your daughter feel on a hot, hot day when her older brother can walk alone wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and she is only allowed to show her hand,face,feet and walk with an escort of family members(mahrams)?
Choosing to wear/not wear modest dress is perfectly fine. But mothers who cannot swim in public pools with their children shows that modern Islamic society truly is not equal...to the detriment of those mothers and their children. The burqini will help them for now(to the profit of the sellers as righteous women have little choice in the matter)
So don't worry about strange men and dress as you like. Allah will know if your heart is pure, he cares not about your clothes!!
From: United States
It is men like Lee Wijs, Elwyn, Bob Turner and Wilfrid Sheed who women need to protect themselves against.
I can imagine they lengths they would go to just to peek at their own daughters' naked bodies.
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Fear no one and nothing but Allah the Creator of all.
It is our Creator who has put the rules not man if you still have a problem dont start with us the followers take it up with the Creator "God".
Thanks for the suits man now women can "openly" join in with their families on swimming without worrien about some PV's watching.Regards
I'm so sorry that you find this deeply disturbing, archaic & strange. However, contrary to your belief, as Muslim women, we do not despise ourselves. Infact, we love ourselves enough to choose to liberate ourselves from having perverts derive sexual pleasure from seeing our half-naked bodies. I am thus thrilled to announce that no longer do you need to view the future with fear and despair. Instead, celebrate our courage to free ourselves!
I'm glad that someone out there took the initiative to create something like this.
:)
I'm over the moon about this outfit, and if it comes to SA, I will definitely buy one.
We need to look at ways of making this garment accessible and affordable to the Muslim female masses around the world. This could be done by way of distribution centres around the world. The majority of us do not have access to the internet.
Let me know what you think of this idea !! I am confident that your venture will be hugely successful
Thanks for designing this wonderful suit. I may be the first one wearing it here on the Arabian Gulf. I look forward to seeing more muslim women join their families in outdoor water sports.
ALSO HOW WOULD U FEEL IF SUM1 LOOKED AT YOUR WIFE WITH LUST BECAUSE OF THE WAY SHE IS DRESSED?
IF AM A MUSLIM I HAVE NOTHING BAD 2 SAY ABOUT ANY OTHER RELIGION SO Y IS THIS SO DISTURBING?
WHEN IS IT ON THE MARKET IN CAPE TOWN?
AND HOW MUCH WILL IT BE?
I hope they make the Burkini in red and yellow... for those women wanting to become life-guards. ;-)
does that sound familiar?
to those of you who are sitting there saying that Muslim women hate themselves just because we don't go out dressed like a bunch of hoocie mamas and we don't want to let it all hang out you are WRONG!!! I certainly don't hate myself and I wear a scarf because I have the self respect to not lower myself to letting men see my whole body to try and get a man.
BTW incase you didn't notice this was MADE BY A WOMAN!!!!
GO BURQINIS!!!!!
an insult to Alah himself.
I bought something similar in dubai. I really like it, in fact I LOVE it!!! If you want something that is really stylish and beautifull you should have a look at mycozzie. You can buy it only on the internet www.mycozzie.com
It has change my life, in the sense of now having family and friends over to enjoy our pool with the children. It means that I no longer have to swim only with my family.
The problem is when children are raised where hajib is a duty and taught "Allah/God won't love me if I displease him by covering my whole body. Therefore I have no choice after all".
How does your daughter feel on a hot, hot day when her older brother can walk alone wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and she is only allowed to show her hand,face,feet and walk with an escort of family members(mahrams)?
Choosing to wear/not wear modest dress is perfectly fine. But mothers who cannot swim in public pools with their children shows that modern Islamic society truly is not equal...to the detriment of those mothers and their children. The burqini will help them for now(to the profit of the sellers as righteous women have little choice in the matter)
So don't worry about strange men and dress as you like. Allah will know if your heart is pure, he cares not about your clothes!!
I can imagine they lengths they would go to just to peek at their own daughters' naked bodies.