The mayor of Cannes has banned burkinis from the beaches of the French Riviera resort famous for its annual film festival, which took place in May this year. The ban comes as a result of the nearby jihadi attacks in Nice and on the church where a priest was beheaded. The disruption of public order over public display of the burkini was cited as a reason.
Thierry Migoule, head of municipal services for the town, stated: “We are not talking about banning the wearing of religious symbols on the beach … but ostentatious clothing which refers to an allegiance to terrorist movements which are at war with us.” Although this argument is sure to raise concerns within and outside of France about democratic rights, there needs to be a public discussion about the truth of Migoule’s assertion. France has been jolted by jihad attacks, which has created a public safety dilemma and unnerved the public, and has taken a toll on the tourism industry; foreign tourists are now said to be shunning France.
Western political correctness and the failure of authorities to target the jihad war against Western infidels has not only resulted in tragedies and deaths; it is inevitably leading to reactionary measures, as we see with the burkini ban, as well as in rising government and media concerns about so-called “far right extremists.”
Even in Egypt, concern about the public statement that was being made by those wearing overt Islamic garb such as the niqab became a public security issue following a rise in jihad attacks in recent months. This led to a push to ban the niqab in Egypt, supported by Parliamentarians in the Egypt Support Coalition, loyal to President al-Sisi.
“Burkinis banned on France’s Cannes beaches by mayor”, UK Telegraph, August 11, 2016:
The mayor of Cannes has banned the wearing of burkinis – full-body swimsuits – on the beaches of the French Riviera resort famous for its annual film festival, officials said on Thursday.
Mayor David Lisnard signed off on the ruling that “access to beaches and for swimming is banned to anyone who does not have (bathing apparel) which respects good customs and secularism”, which is a founding principle of the French republic.
“Beachwear which ostentatiously displays religious affiliation, when France and places of worship are currently the target of terrorist attacks, is liable to create risks of disrupting public order (crowds, scuffles etc) which it is necessary to prevent,” it says.
Thierry Migoule, head of municipal services for the town, sought to clarify the ruling’s intent.
“We are not talking about banning the wearing of religious symbols on the beach … but ostentatious clothing which refers to an allegiance to terrorist movements which are at war with us,” he said.
On July 14 the nearby Riviera city of Nice was the target of an attack claimed by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil), which killed 85 people, when a truck ploughed into seafront crowds celebrating the French national holiday.
On July 26 a priest was killed in his church in northwestern France by two attackers who had proclaimed their allegiance to Isil.
Islamic dress is a contentious issue in France, where the full-face veil is banned in public places. But there is no ban on wearing religious symbols or clothing…