Bikinis and hijabs contrast on Albanian beach

Bikinis and hijabs contrast on Albanian beach	http://www.balkanchronicle.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1492:bikinis-and-hijabs-contrast-on-albanian-beach&catid=42:fashion-beauty&Itemid=401
Thursday, 22 September 2011 22:44		Editorial		
	  Albanian beaches have room for everyone: hijab, burka, bikini, bathing suit
Arta, an Albanian citizen"To each their own," said Selim, a Muslim who gave only his first name.September
 has seen devout Muslims again flocking to Albania's only "burqa beach" 
after the Ramadan holy month, where women bathe in full hijab − a short 
distance from the "other" Albania where girls romp in scanty bikinis.The
 contrast is not to everyone's liking but is a testament to Albania's 
centuries-old tradition of religious tolerance, which even survived 
nearly half a century of a communist rule that tried to stamp out all 
religion.About two-thirds of this Mediterranean state's 3.2 
million residents are Muslim. Much of the rest is Christian − both 
Orthodox and Catholic − and co-habitation among the different faiths is 
the norm in EU-hopeful Albania.But "why do some people think that
 showing off their buttocks is a sign of civilization and freedom, while
 protecting one's body from other people's glances is an expression of 
underdevelopment?" he asked.Selim sat on a small, remote part of 
the long stretch of beach in Spille, which lies about 100 kilometers (60
 miles) southwest of the capital Tirana.There is nothing official
 about the patch, nicknamed "burqa beach." It's been informally claimed 
by conservative Muslims who do not wish to expose their bodies while 
bathing, and is the sole spot of its kind on Albania's lengthy Adriatic 
and Ionian coastline.Empty during Ramadan in August when fasting 
Muslims avoid swimming for fear of swallowing water, "burqa beach" is 
again busy as temperatures in recent weeks soared into the 30s C (high 
80s F) and often continue so into October.Despite the rarity of 
such beaches in Europe, the few dozen families who come here resent the 
fact there are no facilities and that they must walk a half hour from 
Spille's main beach to reach the spot.But "everyone is free to 
choose, even those girls in bikinis who line the length of this beach 
while our women and children only have this little space," said Selim, 
carefully watching his wife and sister as they wade into the waves, at 
the ready since neither know how to swim.While most Albanians are
 Muslims, the majority are moderate. Only a handful of women can be seen
 in the streets of Tirana with their heads covered, and the consumption 
of alcohol − prohibited in Islam − is commonplace.Post-communist 
Albania has seen a revival in all faiths after the complete ban on 
religion during a half-century of Stalinist rule, which cut Albania off 
from the outside world."Islam does not forbid a woman to bathe, 
but only if she covers herself in a decent way, to protect herself from 
the looks and please only God," insisted Fatima, a mother of two 
emerging from the water in a long black robe."Those who have 
money go to Turkey or other countries instead of this out-of-the-way 
spot in Spille that lacks the intimacy and infrastructure for devout 
Muslims women who must not undress in public or attract any glances," 
grumbled 40-something Hasan as his wife went to change in one of the 
tents set up nearby.Ermir Gjinishi, a professor of Islamic 
studies in Tirana, feels Albania should have more women-only beaches for
 devout Muslim women, as separated from men "they are even allowed to 
wear bathing suits."Over on "bikini" beach, the mood is tolerant but defiant."I
 have nothing to hide, neither from God, nor from the sun," said 
psychology student Arjana as she adjusted her bikini strap and insisted 
swimming in a hijab was no more modest than in a two-piece.A 
little way up, several women went further and sunbathed topless − a 
practice not without risk. Last year police were called in to remove 
some foreigners who went topless after local families complained."Albanian
 beaches have room for everyone: hijab, burka, bikini, bathing suit," 
said Arta, sunning herself on the public beach. "Modesty is a personal 
issue. It is important that everyone is free to choose and accept the 
other without any complex."