Most people will concede that there’s nothing inherently inappropriate about the burkini, the full-body swimsuit worn by some Muslim women, which, until Friday, was banned in about 30 French municipalities. It’s also an egregious breach of “the fundamental freedoms to come and go, the freedom of beliefs and individual freedom,” as France’s Council of State declared Friday, which should make any person who purports to stand up for individual rights — which includes women’s rights — shudder with incredulity. The burkini has paradoxically become a sort of feminist symbol of freedom and individual autonomy. In response to the ban, some women have started buying burkinis in solidarity with French Muslim women, and Londoners recently held a “wear what you want beach party” to show support for those who choose to cover up. We can at once reject France’s ban on the burkini, while at the same time raising an eyebrow at this compulsion to cover up.

Source: National Post August 26, 2016 19:30 UTC