The new Syrian government, now led by Islamist authorities following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December, has issued its first official dress code policy for women. As part of updated public beach and pool regulations, women are now required to wear burkinis or full-body swimwear at public beaches and swimming pools across the country.
This decision, announced by Syria’s tourism ministry on June 9, marks a major shift from the previous secular rule under the Assad regime, where such dress regulations were not enforced. During Assad’s leadership, people often wore modest clothing by choice, but no formal rules were in place.
The new guidelines state that swimwear at public facilities must be “appropriate and respectful to public decency,” emphasizing “more modest swimsuits” such as the burkini, which covers the body fully. Women are also expected to wear loose robes or covers when walking away from the beach or pool areas.
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Men, under the same rules, are now prohibited from appearing shirtless in public areas outside swimming zones, such as hotel lobbies or restaurants, and must wear a shirt when not swimming.
Additionally, the guidelines recommend that in public areas outside of swimming facilities, both men and women should wear loose-fitting clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. Transparent or tight clothing is discouraged.
However, there are exceptions. Women can still wear Western-style swimwear, such as bikinis and swimsuits, at four-star and five-star hotels, private clubs, and exclusive beach resorts. Even there, guests are advised to adhere to “public morals and limits of public taste.”
This move comes after several fliers had already appeared across parts of Syria, encouraging women to adopt more conservative dress. While the new Islamist government has not openly declared Syria a state under full sharia law, a temporary constitution adopted earlier this year has increased the influence of Islamic legal principles.
Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, formerly linked to Al-Qaeda, has declined to give a direct answer on whether sharia law will be fully implemented, stating that such decisions are for legal experts and scholars to determine.
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