According to Wikipedia, Burqini is "a type of swimsuit (designed by Lebanese Australian Ahiida Zanetti), the suit covers enough to preserve Muslim modesty, whilst being light enough to enable swimming. It was described as the perfect solution for Muslim women who want to swim but are uncomfortable about "revealing" bathing suits. The name "burqini" is a portmanteau of burqa and bikini. It looks rather like a full-length wetsuit with built-in hood, but somewhat looser and made of swimsuit material instead of rubber".
The following testimonial is completely self-explanatory:
Greetings, I received an email today with a link in it to your product. The email itself was disparaging and was titled "give me a break," and was obviously intended to be sarcastic. So I want to say, for myself as a Christian fellow, good for you! Good for you, for bridging cultural gaps with understanding and taste. I think your product is a _*great idea*_ and encourage you to continue to do exactly what you are doing. Quite frankly I would rather see beaches full of women wearing your swimsuits, than the g-string bikinis I am currently exposed to, whether I want to look or not. Your swim-wear is certainly more practical than the Victorian era swimsuits with whalebone corsets and lace that where all the rage at the turn of the previous century, back when modesty wasn't a dirty word in the West. I would also like to praise those women purchasing your product and braving the stupidity and ignorance of their fellow man. Their courage is both ground-breaking and humbling at the same time. I am sure that it will open many doors for Muslim women, while at the same time helping to increase awareness and understanding of one of our world's most important cultures. Who knows, maybe next Christmas I will purchase one for my niece. Amen and God bless. Allahu Akbar!
- Bruce - Canada
I am an American male who will not deny that I love to look at women. I live in Florida and the women wear close to nothing on the beaches here... I love the beaches here. That being said it may seem weird but I am a big fan of your product. Not until visiting your website did I understand how the lack of proper sportswear has been hindering Muslim women. I can't imagine not being able to enjoy the ocean freely. What really strikes me is how big of a choice this is that you Muslim women make. You could choose to go against your beliefs and swim and play in comfort, but your love for Allah has kept many women on the sidelines and the shore. I must say that I am happy that you have provided an alternative. Although some people will be ignorant and ridicule the style others will have an epiphany about how everyone is a human being, and everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in some beach time, regardless of if they wear a string bikini or burqini. p.s. My high schools girls basketball team used to play against a team from a Muslim school, and in our ignorance we used to laugh at their uniforms. I just want to throw my apology out to any young girl who has had to deal with that kind of stupidity. I commend you and encourage all young Muslim girls to be as brave and confident as those girls were. Don\'t ever let other peoples perceptions color your reality.
- David - USA
Now that the pool-n-beach problem has thankfully been solved, muslim women can express their hobby at the beach… Surfing or boogie-boarding, jetskiing or knee-boarding… all you have to do is grab your Burkini and play! Ms. Zanetti, congratulation on your invention ;)
