“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are different from my own".

Earlier this month, French authorities imposed a burkini ban across several resorts including Nice, Villeneuve-Loubet and Cannes.

We believe the ban is part of a broader effort by France and other European states to regulate the clothing of Muslim women under the guise of anti-terrorism law and supposed progressive feminism.

Indeed, Thierry Migoule, head of municipal services for Cannes, labelled the burkini an example of “ostentatious clothing” that expressed the wearers “allegiance to terrorist movements.”

It should be made clear that women’s clothing bear no correlation with terrorism & any attempt to argue otherwise and politicise Muslim women’s clothing is blatant prejudice, sexism and, in this case, islamophobia.

The state controlling the clothing of women sets an alarming precedent that women are in fact without liberties.

Black Blossoms and the NUS Women's Campaign strongly oppose the burkini ban and believe that it contradicts the values of female liberty and empowerment; the decision to ban the burkini is denying female autonomy.

We acknowledge the situations in which women may be forced to wear the burkin, but we must take into account that many choose to wear it for the sake of comfort, practicality and personal commitment to one's faith (a form of freedom of expression). The meaning of the burkini is dependent upon the context and is often the choice of the wearer. The ban makes blanket assumptions about those wearing a burkini and infringes upon their freedom of choice.

Black Blossoms and the NUS Women's Campaign are fundraising for Muslim women across France to pay for the fines incurred when defying the ban. Show your solidarity and donate!

We also call on the international community to condemn France and this attack on female liberty.

With love and solidarity,
Bee Tajudeen & Hareem Ghani x

(artwork: portiaemily.com)