When you conceal, the attraction doubles. Sorry, if I have offended anyone, but I was referring to human psychology.
Of late, the global debate wading into the premise of Islamophobia is the revolutionary garment called “burkini.”
If you ask me, it actually looks a lot like the uniform of the Star Trek crew with the only addition of the tight head covering.
However, unlike the fictional sci-fi series, if someone is wearing it in defiance of a ban in certain countries, there’s no Scotty to beam her up to the spacecraft and whisk her away from a fracas.
This dress is almost similar to the scuba diving suit, without the oxygen cylinders of course.
I wonder, will a diver who comes up from the water wearing a burkini, using it as an underwater diving attire, be penalised?
In these times of European economic stringency, some may decide, “let’s go for the burkini because it will serve a purpose both under water and on the beach.”
It seems that countries with secular labels are hell-bent in forcing people to conform to the social values which they represent.
From a neutral angle, I must say that since France is a secular nation, anyone living there has to respect the laws upheld by the land.
Just like we would not feel comfortable if foreigners walked on streets wearing hot pants and tank tops.
Now, low-cut blouses or netted sarees with provocative glimpses of the midriff and the navel are not a problem as long as local women wear them.
In fact, until the Holey Artisan carnage, all Western women on Dhaka streets followed the country’s modest attire code for women.
Then again, there is also a counter-point: Today, Western visitors to our country follow the rules of the land, but once, as imperial rulers, across the world, these colonial-powers-turned-current-champions-of-human-rights-and-democracy, showed utter disdain for the customs and culture of an occupied territory.
In an open space filled with thousands of people having a day out in the sun at the beach, why does it matter as to what someone is wearing as long as the person wearing it feels comfortable?
Anyway, let the past be the past, they say, otherwise, we cannot move forward.
And, so, invoke the line of British philosopher Bertrand Russell who said: “The only thing that will redeem mankind is co-operation.”
Hence, many of us are inclined to let bygones be bygones.
Today, we shall focus on the burkini’s global ripples -- the fusion dress combining the bikini and the burqa.
Nope, haven’t seen any at Gawsia Market as of yet, but with the international coverage this dress is getting, I won’t be surprised if one is seen hanging from the stores soon.
Reportedly, France’s ban on burkinis has seen a surge in the garment’s sales worldwide. That’s what one can underline as “any publicity is good publicity.”
Ban it to create a boom for it.
The other day, a canny shop-keeper asked me, “Bhai, how can I get hold of some of these?”
Hmm, tough question.
After some intense thinking, I suggested, why import them when we have Jinjira on the other side of the river where any item can be copied in days?
He loved the idea!
I hear this guy is on a nylon-buying mission. The plan is to catch holiday-makers in Cox’s Bazaar in two months time.
On one side of the world, the burkini is under fire; on the contrary, here in Bangladesh, where fads catch fast, this may set the beaches on fire.
And no one to come and say, “take it off.”
I am also thinking how burkinis may be included in our film industry. After all, whether one likes it or not, there is a certain attraction to it.
Perhaps in “Agni 4,” featuring the female protagonist out to root out some social evil?
Putting aside the flippancy, all this brouhaha appears to be unnecessary.
In an open space filled with thousands of people having a day out in the sun at the beach, why does it matter as to what someone is wearing as long as the person wearing it feels comfortable?
Naturally, basic sartorial sense compatible with the sand and the water has to prevail.
Let’s turn to Cox’s Bazaar for a change. Here, women can go to the beach wearing whatever they desire: A saree, a salwar-kameez, long shorts, or a bikini.
The last one is usually preferred by foreigners, as in the past, overseas tourists were allowed to wear whatever they felt like wearing.
To avoid gawking eyes, a separate beach, guarded by security people, was ensured.
“You can wear whatever you desire” -- isn’t that more secular than proscribing something?
Oh well, it’s a strange world where we must adapt to diverse social ethos.
By the way, my shop-owner friend with the entrepreneurial spirit says he wants to call the locally-made beach-dress: Sunny Leone “Baby Doll” burkini.
“Will sell like anything,” he assures me.
I am convinced. Are you?
Towheed Feroze is a journalist working in the development sector.