Burqini ban will stop women going to beach

Readers write about the burqini, cats, flying cars and "honour killings"

A Moroccan woman wearing a burqini. Fadel Senna / AFP

To understand the story, French activist says he will pay the fine of any woman prosecuted for wearing a burqini (August 18), you have to understand the situation in France now.

If a woman wears a burqini, she might be verbally assaulted and face racism.

So, I think the main purpose of this rule was to avoid uncomfortable situations for Muslim women.

Of course, it’s not a good solution. Every woman should be free to wear what she wants. But right now it’s a sensitive subject.

Wolfhilde Monat, Abu Dhabi

I would ask France: where is “liberté, égalité, fraternité” in this situation?

It is shameful to ask women to undress.

First they say they feel pity for the condition of Muslim women who, they suppose, must stay at home, now they are indirectly sending her home by banning the burqini.

Muslim women will not undress; they will not go to the beach any more.

Mariyah Fatimah, Al Ain

I find it strange to pick on this piece of swim wear.

Many people have opted to wear it to cover up from the sun – one famous non-Muslim example being Nigella Lawson.

I have also heard of women choosing to cover skin blemishes with these outfits.

Some women will not now be able to go to the beach with their families, so in effect it just penalises a group of women through no fault of their own.

It could actually fuel radicalism – which is the problem, not items of clothing.

C Goodey, UK

If these women were diving and wearing wetsuits, they would be completely covered.

I live in the United States and I have seen many French people come to water parks half naked – bikinis on women of every size and age, and hideous Speedos on every size and age of man. What’s worse – covering up or showing everything?

I choose letting Muslim women cover up and stay true to their culture.

Annie O'Farrell, US

It's great to see Arab women athletes competing in the Olympic Games and wearing whatever they feel most comfortable in (Hijab is a good fit for the Olympics Games, August 11).

I wish figure skater Zahra Lari and all the other Arab women athletes success in the future. They are a credit to their nations and the Arab world.

Peter Frazen, Dubai

Forget flying, take the train

Dubai to Abu Dhabi in a flying taxi? Airbus looks to revolutionise the daily commute (August 18) canvases an interesting idea for the future.

For the moment, a fast train service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi would provide instant relief to thousands of commuters.

I Javed, Abu Dhabi

Killing is not honourable

I was disturbed to read about the woman who was killed by her ex-husband and father (Pakistan arrests two for Dubai resident's 'honour killing', August 18).

This is really getting out of hand, especially as there aremany unreported “honour killings”. Where is the honour in killing?

Kristina Margit, Dubai

Safety first for women in lifts

I refer to Man sexually assaulted woman in lift after pretending to take selfie, Dubai court told (August 18).

I never enter a lift alone with a man at any time of the day. If I enter first and he gets in after me, I just get out.

Name withheld by request

Don’t buy a dog, adopt a puppy

The opinion article by Brett Debritz, Every dog has its day but every day is cat day (August 17) is well done.

However, Debritz should suggest that his friends adopt a dog rather than buy one. Pet shops have many sick and under age puppies for sale which are the products of puppy farms.

There are many organisations offering dogs and puppies for adoption.

Debbie Lawson, Dubai

Fond memories of China holiday

Thank you for the travel article, Yunnan, one of China's most exotic provinces (August 18).

My family visited a few years back, when they were draining the lake. We went to the top of Snow Dragon mountain, which was amazing, and stayed in a lovely little hotel in Li Jiang.

Adam Tesdale, Abu Dhabi