Bikinis and hijabs contrast on Albanian beach
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Albanian women wearing conservative Islamic attire swim in the sea in Spille, southwest of Tirana. (File Photo)
September has seen devout Muslims again flocking to Albania’s only “burqa beach” after the Ramadan holy month, where women bathe in full hijab − a short distance from the “other” Albania where girls romp in scanty bikinis.
The contrast is not to everyone’s liking but is a testament to Albania’s centuries-old tradition of religious tolerance, which even survived nearly half a century of a communist rule that tried to stamp out all religion.
About two-thirds of this Mediterranean state’s 3.2 million residents are Muslim. Much of the rest is Christian − both Orthodox and Catholic − and co-habitation among the different faiths is the norm in EU-hopeful Albania.
Albanian beaches have room for everyone: hijab, burka, bikini, bathing suit 
The contrast is not to everyone’s liking but is a testament to Albania’s centuries-old tradition of religious tolerance, which even survived nearly half a century of a communist rule that tried to stamp out all religion.
About two-thirds of this Mediterranean state’s 3.2 million residents are Muslim. Much of the rest is Christian − both Orthodox and Catholic − and co-habitation among the different faiths is the norm in EU-hopeful Albania.
Albanian beaches have room for everyone: hijab, burka, bikini, bathing suit Arta, an Albanian citizen
“To each their own,” said Selim, a Muslim who gave only his first name.
more see: http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/22/168064.html
more see: http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/22/168064.html
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