Syria’s new burkini-only rule at public beaches ignites global concern. Analysts fear the start of a wider rollback of women’s freedoms post-Islamist takeover.
By Veritas Times News Desk | June 11, 2025
In a move that has triggered deep concern across international rights groups, Syria’s Islamist-led interim government has issued a directive requiring all women at public beaches and swimming pools to wear burkinis or modest full-body swimwear. Officials claim the measure is intended to “enhance safety” and “preserve public decency.” But analysts warn: this could be the first major signal of a retreat in women’s rights under post-war Islamist rule.
What the New Rule States:
Burkini or similar modest swimwear is mandatory for women at all public beaches and pools.
Cover-ups must be worn when walking around swim zones.
Western-style swimwear is banned in public zones but permitted in private clubs, 4-star+ hotels, and private beaches.
Men must wear shirts outside water; bare chests prohibited in public areas.
No specified penalties or enforcement mechanisms were listed.
Why This Rule Matters Globally
This policy isn’t just about swimwear—it’s about ideology.
Key Concerns:
Erosion of civil liberties under religious governance.
The unclear boundaries of enforcement may lead to moral policing.
The rule indirectly challenges previous constitutional promises of gender equality and media freedom made in March 2025 by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after ousting Bashar al-Assad.
Between Progress and Orthodoxy: Syria’s Crossroads
In an exclusive BBC interview last year, President Sharaa had promised an inclusive, modern Syria—emphasizing women's education and denying any agenda to “Talibanize” the country.
However, Syria’s revised constitution now prioritizes Islamic jurisprudence as "the main source of legislation"—a significant departure from its previous framework.
So where does this burkini rule stand in this ideological battlefield?
Symbolism matters in governance.
The imposition of moral dress codes—even without punishment—can normalize a culture of surveillance, especially of women.
Expert Insight:
Samar El-Karim, a Middle East women’s rights scholar, tells :
“This isn’t just about beachwear. It’s about whether women in Syria will be seen first as citizens—or as subjects of religious conformity.”
What This Signals for the Region:
The new regulation places Syria closer to countries like Iran and Afghanistan, where women’s dress is strictly regulated in public.
But the ambiguity—no fine, no arrest clause—makes this more dangerous, say observers. “It's soft censorship,” notes El-Karim. “It relies on social enforcement and fear, not law.”
Conclusion: Burkini Today, What Tomorrow?
The burkini decree may seem minor to some—but in Syria’s post-war landscape, every policy carries outsized meaning.
As the country rebuilds, the world watches to see: Will Syria become a beacon of pluralism or a cautionary tale of religious regression?