Over the years, modest swimwear - otherwise known as burkinis - have sparked >heated debates around the world. It started when a number of European countries >banned the burkini, criminalizing a person's personal choice of clothing.
However, contrary to common belief, such decisions spread beyond just the continent of Europe. >Arab countries, including Lebanon, have been following in the same footsteps in a more unofficial manner.
A number of resorts in Lebanon >strictly prohibit burkinis, forcing women out of the water for their choice of swimwear. In an effort to combat this, one resort decided to allow women wearing burkinis to enjoy the water ... only two days a week.
On Friday, via its social media platforms, Waterland Hotel & Resort announced that "women wearing burkinis are welcome every Tuesday and Friday".
Many were pleased with the resort's announcement, referring to the decision as "a step forward".
Waterland Hotel and Resort, located in the northern Lebanese city of Zgharta, is attempting to market themselves as inclusive, as opposed to other resorts in the country. However, the resort's announcement has also left many with questions.
"Why [are] women wearing burkinis welcome only two days a week?" one Facebook user wrote.
In 2017, a Muslim woman was >forced out of a beach in the Muslim-majority city of Tripoli for wearing the burkini.
The incident, which took place at the Miramar Hotel Resort, was widely shared on Facebook at the time. The resort only allows swimwear ... and apparently, burkinis do not qualify as such.
Some people were outraged that the resort is limiting women's choices by allowing them to enter only twice a week.
"Is it not enough that people in European countries forbid it?? Now also in Lebanon?? Seriously?? Let people wear what they want to wear!!!!" another Facebook user wrote.
The resort's decision has sparked a heated debate online as women wearing burkinis do so to integrate with others in public spaces.
Female-only beaches are available in Lebanon, and a number of mixed-gender beaches dedicate days to women-only. However, the discussion varies when it comes to the burkini, as its purpose differs greatly.
"Oh, so just Tuesday and Friday ... so if we go on Mondays, we would get kicked out," another user wrote.
Lebanese resorts are no strangers to racism and discrimination
Many incidents of racism or discrimination have been reported at Lebanese beach resorts.
Not only do some resorts ban burkinis, but they also ban other types of swimwear apart from traditional bikinis.
In 2017, the owner of a private beach in Lebanon told Sputnik Arabic that he banned the burkini, saying that "the socially accepted clothing for females to swim in public places is a bikini".
In 2016, a young Lebanese-Canadian woman was barred from swimming in a well-known resort in Beirut for >wearing a one-piece bathing suit with swimming shorts.
Additionally, several resorts do not allow domestic workers to swim in their pools.