Take It Off: Marseille's Mayor Hopes to Ban Islamic 'Burkini' Waterpark Party

Smile 13, an association of Muslim women, rented a pool in order to host an event where ordinary women's swimwear was forbidden. Men were not allowed to attend, although an exception was made for boys under 10 and for lifeguards.

The faith-based bathing group has endorsed the wearing of so-called burkinis, or bodykinis: swimsuits for Muslim women that cover the whole body except the face. The burkini has a tight hood and is designed to comply with more strict interpretations of Sharia (Islamic law).

"It is possible to cancel the event? Yes, the mayor can make a decision to ban it," Marseille lawyer Marc Wahed told Sputnik in an interview. "Then, the court will rule on the issue if the prefect considers the mayor's decision illegal. The court may decide to ban the dress code, or the event could be qualified as a violation of public order, if there will be meetings in front of the waterpark."

"If it is a private event — for example, you have decided to host a party in burkinis or bikinis — you may do whatever you want to," Wahed said. "It's privacy indeed."

"However, since the association has extended invitations, it is yet to be discussed how private this particular event is. They invite everyone, not just a few friends, a few people, and members of the association. No, they are inviting everyone."

According to the lawyer, the Marseille mayor plans to take action to ban the event on the grounds that it is a violation of public order. "Then, the prefect will decide whether or not to submit this decision to the Administrative Court of Appeal of Marseille. If the prefect agrees with the mayor's decision, the event will be canceled. If the prefect considers the decision illegal and rules that the mayor has overstepped his authority, he will appeal to the administrative court. And then the judge will decide whether there has been a violation of public order and whether the decision is lawful," the lawyer concluded.