William of the White Hand
Junior News Editor
Just the other day I passed by a white woman in Muslim garb. I think it was her way of being cool. It didn't bother me especially it being the sartorial equivalent of wearing a sign around one's neck declaring yourself insane.
Muslim women want special swim pools
Dominion Post | Thursday, 11 January 2007
Muslim women in New Zealand say they are suffering health problems because they do not have special pools where they can swim without compromising their religious beliefs.
South Island Muslims are looking to set up special pool facilities for females, and the Australian designer of the newly unveiled 'burqini' expects demand for her product in New Zealand.
Christchurch Muslim Naaz Shah said there was nowhere for Muslim women to swim without compromising their religious beliefs.
Because of this, many Muslim women had no opportunities to exercise and were putting on weight.
"They become medically unfit. Their health is affected and they're quite depressed."
Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand chief executive Sultan Eusoff backed the idea of a special pool for Muslims, and said privacy and modesty were very important for followers of Islam.
However, he was not aware of any reports of Muslim women feeling uncomfortable swimming in Wellington pools.
"If you want to go swimming you know there will be other people using the pool.
"It is not so much a problem of other people making us feel uncomfortable, but there would be an issue if pool dress codes forbid our women covering up."
Martin Winkels, of the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre at Kilbirnie, said the complex offered private spas and three family changing rooms for customers who may wish to bathe or change in private.
He knew of only one incident in which a brown-skinned man expressed his unhappiness at being in changing rooms where other men were standing undressed before or after going swimming.
The Australian designer of the burqini, Aheda Zanetti, has been swamped with worldwide interest in the swimming outfit and expects to sell it to Kiwi Muslims.
The modest bathing costume was designed for Muslim women who, because of religious values, cannot show more than their face, hands and feet in public.
Mrs Shah said the burqini was a great idea, especially for young Muslim women at school.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/3924325a10.html
Muslim women want special swim pools
Dominion Post | Thursday, 11 January 2007
Muslim women in New Zealand say they are suffering health problems because they do not have special pools where they can swim without compromising their religious beliefs.
South Island Muslims are looking to set up special pool facilities for females, and the Australian designer of the newly unveiled 'burqini' expects demand for her product in New Zealand.
Christchurch Muslim Naaz Shah said there was nowhere for Muslim women to swim without compromising their religious beliefs.
Because of this, many Muslim women had no opportunities to exercise and were putting on weight.
"They become medically unfit. Their health is affected and they're quite depressed."
Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand chief executive Sultan Eusoff backed the idea of a special pool for Muslims, and said privacy and modesty were very important for followers of Islam.
However, he was not aware of any reports of Muslim women feeling uncomfortable swimming in Wellington pools.
"If you want to go swimming you know there will be other people using the pool.
"It is not so much a problem of other people making us feel uncomfortable, but there would be an issue if pool dress codes forbid our women covering up."
Martin Winkels, of the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre at Kilbirnie, said the complex offered private spas and three family changing rooms for customers who may wish to bathe or change in private.
He knew of only one incident in which a brown-skinned man expressed his unhappiness at being in changing rooms where other men were standing undressed before or after going swimming.
The Australian designer of the burqini, Aheda Zanetti, has been swamped with worldwide interest in the swimming outfit and expects to sell it to Kiwi Muslims.
The modest bathing costume was designed for Muslim women who, because of religious values, cannot show more than their face, hands and feet in public.
Mrs Shah said the burqini was a great idea, especially for young Muslim women at school.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/3924325a10.html
