The word burkini derives from the fusion of the words burqa and bikini, two totally opposite items of clothing. What is behind this creation?

The market includes goods that incorporate values because there is a sector of goods aimed at “redemption.” So as to understand what has happened with the burkini, it is helpful to remember the case of Mecca-Cola, a product similar to Coca-Cola, launched by a Tunisian entrepreneur. He created a global brand name with undisputed symbolic value for the Muslim world, with its ethical-social characteristics (a percentage of profits goes to the Palestinian cause). The result has been that Mecca-Cola has eroded 20% of Coca-Cola’s market in the Middle East.

The burkini is one example of problems in relations between Muslim and Western customs. How is it that these have become more tense in recent times?

The burkini is a rather inferior by-product of a broader battle fought in various countries with a Muslim majority. Such tension started with the 1979 Iranian Revolution and reached its summit with 9/11. The creation of Islam as an enemy of the West saw contributions not only from “we” Westerners (as Said believed), but also from the post-colonial religious-political elite that formed in many of these Muslim majority countries.

This is a European issue ranging from the case involving Carole, a French women who converted to Islam, and who was forbidden from entering the water wearing a burkini, to controversies in Great Britain, where some swimming pools allow burkinis also for non-Muslim women. There have also been problems in Germany, where the integration of the Turkish community is mixed-up with issues linked to the Armenian genocide and the community’s growing electoral power. What European integration policies are feasible?

The problem exists throughout the European Union with differing importance and complexity of the issues. As the Primate of the Church of England, Rowan Williams, reminded us, in some matters there are British citizens who follow the Shari’a. In some complex controversies there are judges who listen to the opinions of experts in religious law, respecting these opinions when passing final judgement. If we do not wish to achieve pluralism in our legal system which would result in the disintegration of social rules, we must rely on the new generations of immigrants.

Sarkozy has proposed that the burqa be forbidden. How will this work in a country that has the largest Muslim community in Europe and where 70% of the faithful respect fasting rules?

It would be more productive to not just simply forbid things. This is the intricate path embarked upon by the Stasi Commission, leaving the legislator to make the difficult decision of forbidding the displaying of religious symbols in public places. Forbidding the burqa is fine if accompanied by a public debate also including those who are Muslims.

In Verona, Italy, there was an uproar when a Muslim woman turned up at a public swimming pool wearing a burkini. Other mothers present said that their children were frightened. That is hard to believe since children nowadays grow up amidst the soundtracks of violent cartoons and horror films. Do you not instead think that often people lack the courage to admit that they are afraid of what is different?

I agree. These are legends that hide the truth. It would be more honest if these adults admitted that they can no longer stand immigrants and especially that some of them – the Muslims – “should go back home.” Ever since the idea that “Muslims” do not integrate, or less so than others, has become part of the public perception, events such as these (from the burkini to prayers in Piazza Duomo, not to mention requests to build a mosque) have become excuses to prove that “they” are not compatible with “us” even if, for years, they have lived, worked and had children in Italy.

What will such a fearful society lead to?

It will lead us to not to plan the future.

To what extent is public opinion influenced by the reactions of political parties such as the Northern League – or the Dutch Freedom Party or that of the Real Finns – which, to make a few Italian examples, exalt separate carriages for the underground, street patrols and food crusades?

The increased number of parties that place this conflict at the top of their agendas is symptomatic of real and widespread unease. According to at least one third of people in Europe, a multi-cultural society such as the one currently organised is no longer bearable. From Rotterdam to Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, from a number of areas in Bradford and Birmingham to intensely multi-cultural areas such as St. Denis in Paris there are many relatively homogeneous ethnic enclaves. The Northern League exploits the widespread feeling that “we are no longer in a land of our own.” The slogan is effective because we are invaded by uncontrolled hoards of immigrants, hence there is consensus for sending them back without excessive international regulations. There is, however, a part of public opinion, those who every day experience the issues of integration (in schools or hospitals, in businesses and in families caring for the elderly), who observe this phenomenon realistically, believing that it is irreversible and also that the well-being of immigrants is compatible with general interests. As Adam Smith would say, with the “wealth of the nation.” 

Translated by Francesca Simmons