Morocco Bans Swimsuits

(Note: This is a beautifully done, elaborate joke)

From Ahmed BlaFrancia’s blog, 3alash?:

In response to new draft laws in some European countries that infringe upon the religious freedoms of Moroccan citizens in Europe by banning hijab and niqaab and such, the Moroccan government has decided, in an urgent meeting, to ban all European tourists and residents from wearing indecent clothing that do not conform with the religious and moral values that the Moroccans cherish.

The banned outfits are swimming suits, bikinis, and shorts. Also, the law requires foreigners who wish to visit the old cities to wear the traditional Moroccan djellaba in all areas that are within 1 km from a mosque.

For more details about the law, dubbed “Decent Clothing in the Cherifian Kingdom,” travel agencies and tour guides should call the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs, which has prepared a comprehensive guide on decent clothing that’s available in many European languages, to be distributed to tourists. As for resident foreigners, they should receive or acquire this guide from the nearest national security administration.

Those who don’t comply with the new law will be fined 1,000 dirhams for the first offense, and 3,000 dirhams the second time and will face deportation and the revocation of their residency card when they break the law for the third time.

A governmental announcement on the new law states that this is not a racist decision, and that it doesn’t differentiate foreigners on the basis of religion or race, and Islamic Shari’a should not be enforced on the non-Muslim minority.

Let’s be clear: In Morocco, swimsuits are common on every beach, and in the old cities, even Moroccan women feel comfortable in jeans and modest tops. If this were real, it would be nothing but a response to the racist laws being implemented across Europe.

Still, I can’t help but wonder if it would be enforced on Moroccan women as well, who most certainly wear Western clothing within 1km of a mosque (note: mosques are every meter or so in some old parts of cities; the “law” is clearly meant to enforce djellaba within their entirety).

Truth be told, I love the djellaba. I own three, and I don’t mind wearing them. But forcing djellaba, just like forcing someone to not wear niqaab, is ridiculous.

Thanks Anas Qtiesh for the rapid translation.