Muslim women who dress modestly...

[TreatTreat]

If you're at the beach and you want to paddle in the sea, are you able to roll up your trousers? Genuinely wondering as I saw a muslim family on the beach today having great fun. The kids were paddling in the sea. The women weren't but this question sprung in my head.

Let's stop promoting the idea that clothing defines how modest someone is.
As it stands, there appears to be swimwear produced for muslim ladies, or indeed others who want to cover up, so it's kind of a non-issue.

But I mean if they didn't bring their swimwear and wanted to pop into the sea for a paddle.

This is quite an odd thing for you to be pondering tbh.

I know Muslim women who would do this and Muslim women who wouldn't. And of the ones who would, how high they'd roll up their trousers also varies! Like all faiths followers are all different.

I know non Muslims who would & those who wouldn’t

Exactly, and it's their business, not anybody else's.

I live in a hot country with a big Muslim population (Kurdish Syrians). The men dive into the sea with their children and have a great time, the wives stand on the beach covered from head to toe in black and look on anxiously.

Why? I really don't think it is.

That's sad.

It they were going to the beach and intending to swim, they’d bring whatever they’d want, same as anyone I suppose.

You seem to be offended I even asked such a question. Honestly, don't be.

It’s the same as with anything else some would and some wouldn’t and there will be a variety of reasons for that. Muslim people are not homogeneous group.

I hope they will be wearing what they choose and feel comfortable wearing so long as it’s the individual that made the choice and nobody forced them to or denied them a choice.

DD’s swim coach wears a burkini and a hijab. I do think though if you are used to wearing a hijab/niqb plus the abaya then you would probably feel very exposed in a burkini. I do think there will be women who would never swim in the sea even if they wished they could because of clothing.

However theres a fair few muslim women who go to the beach and pop a swimsuit on. My tunisian friend enjoys frying herself in a bikini, most of the non-hijabi muslim Lebanese women I know will happily wear a normal swimsuit on holiday.

@TreatTreat I don't think its odd to be curious about at all, I think about other faiths / lifestyles all the time.

Anyway I know Muslim women who wear bikinis and I know others would definitely wouldn't paddle.

Thank you 😊 @Janeeyrre

I used to have a Muslim landlady. She told me that she would go in the sea fully clothed (and presumably change afterwards).

There is no "uniform" for Muslim women.

The Koran states that they (men and women) should dress modestly and covering their private parts.

So as long as they're not wearing tight and revealing clothes (men and women) they can wear what they want.

Therefore there is no reason they can't roll up trouser legs and paddle.

Like any religion, different groups will have their own interpretation.

You could argue that in the UK, wearing a hijab, burqua, thobe, abaya etc... is actually not classified as modest as it draws attention to yourself.

I am a one and would paddle without rolling my clothes up, if I am prepared I'll wear swimming leggings under my abaya, lift the abaya and let the leggings wet.
Many burkini aren't modest enough for me but I found one I am happier with from abroad.
They now make abayas in swimming material.
If women want to swim they will, it isn't like the husband is forcing them not to. People must think the same when they see my husband and kids swimming whilst I look on, the reason is that I hate swimming and much prefer relaxing on the beach. I'll get my feet wet if it's hot 💁
The narrative of big bad Muslim husband is not often the case

To all those giving the OP a hard time. YOU are the problem!
It is not a bad thing to want to find out more about other cultures and religions.
When you try and make asking questions a taboo you put up more barriers which create miss understands, miss conceptions and we all know where that ends up.

You all think you are being PC white knights, but you are just making problems worse.

I think it’s fine to ask questions, this is an anonymous forum and I think it’s a good way to ask questions you would hesitate to ask directly.

Thank you. I feel it's good to be curious about other cultures. I loved RE at school and learning about Islam and it's something that I love learning about even now.

This! I’m a muslim woman and up until a month ago, I’d wear bikinis and swimsuits on holiday (despite not having the body for it 😜). Recently I’ve had a change of heart and mindset so have decided to wear hijab albeit not in a very conservative way as I wear it as a turban or loosely. I’ve also starting covering my body more so no longer wear dresses with my legs out or sleeveless tops. Not sure what I’d do on a beach as I’ve not been to the beach since I started dressing this way but I think would probably roll my trousers up a little or just let them get wet and then change into spare clothing. It all comes down to personal choice though as it comes down to what you feel comfortable with and how practicing you are in that aspect of your life.

Thank you 😊

Eh?
It's really none of anyone else's business how or why another person swims/paddles or not. Muslims are individuals, just like non-muslims.
Minding your own business isn't remotely close to being a problem.