Supreme Court France must rule in controversial burkini issue

A decision is expected in the coming days, Religion.orf reports.

The discussion was started by the fact that the city of Grenoble decided to abolish the rules concerning swimming wear. In practice, that means people are allowed to wear full-body bathing suits, burkinis, or go swimming topless.

The controversy, however, arose only on the matter of the permission for burkinis. This type of swimwear has been controversial in France because some French see it as a religious expression that is not in line with the secular country France presents itself to be. Critics argue that allowing burkinis adjusts rules to satisfy religious interests.

On Tuesday, the State Council discussed several pictures of different types of swimwear. That is reported by Valeurs Actuelles. The mayor of Grenoble and his lawyer argued that the permission of burkinis in public swimming areas was a decision that respects "the expression of everyone's religious freedom" and does not pose "health and safety risks." Furthermore, the lawyer of Grenoble asserts that a burkini is comparable to headscarves worn in public.

It is not the first time that the burkini issue has been discussed. In 2016, the State Council overturned a ban on burkinis on public beaches.