The mayor of a seaside resort in
northern Italy has described as "unacceptable" the Muslim
practice of bathing fully clothed on grounds it is creating
serious consequences for decorum.
The beach of Marina Julia in Monfalcone near Gorizia in Friuli
Venezia Giulia is a tourist destination and therefore "the
behaviour of Muslim foreigners who habitually enter the water
with their clothes on is unacceptable," Mayor Anna Maria Cisint
told the local Muslim community in an open letter published
Wednesday.
"(It is) a practice that is causing bewilderment and that
creates intolerable consequences for the preservation of
decorum," she added.
"People who come from contexts that are different from our own
have an obligation to respect the rules and customs," continued
Cisint.
"The practice of entering the beach and the water wearing
clothing other than swimwear must end," she insisted.
In the letter Cisint, who is serving her second mandate with the
right-wing government coalition partner League led by Matteo
Salvini, also announced "special measures to protect the general
interest of the city and our fellow citizens".
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