Shocking Move: Syria Bans Bikinis Women Ordered to Cover Up on Public Beaches
Syria’s new Islamist-led government has sparked outrage after announcing a strict dress code for women at public beaches and swimming pools, banning bikinis and requiring full-body swimwear like the burkini.
The new decree, issued by Syria’s Tourism Ministry on June 9, mandates that all female visitors to public coastal areas wear swimwear that “covers the body more” and respects “public decency.” This means bikinis and other revealing swimwear are officially off-limits in public areas.
According to the order, women must also wear a robe or cover-up when walking around outside the water. Men, too, face new rules they must wear shirts when not swimming and are banned from going shirtless in places like hotel lobbies or restaurants.
However, the decree includes a controversial exception for luxury venues. Western-style swimwear like bikinis will still be allowed at four-star and five-star hotels, as well as private beaches, pools, and exclusive clubs as long as guests “respect public morals.”
This is the first time Syria has enforced such gender-specific clothing restrictions since President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December and the Islamist-led administration took power.
The new law comes as part of a wider summer directive on “public safety and behavior,” signaling a shift toward more conservative religious control in the country’s social policies.
The ministry’s guidelines also stress that in all public spaces outside swimming areas, people should wear loose-fitting clothes that cover shoulders and knees and avoid anything “tight or transparent.”
Critics have already slammed the move as a major rollback on women’s freedoms, warning that this could pave the way for more restrictive Islamic laws across other parts of Syrian life.
