Swimming pool for Muslim women, controversy rises in South Tyrol

In the small town of Salorno, located in the Italian region of Alto Adige, a new initiative has sparked controversy. Starting on Monday, July 27, the local swimming pool will offer one hour each week, after regular public hours, to women belonging to Islamic communities. This arrangement, brokered by the facility’s manager, Luca Lechthaler, and supported by Mayor Roland Lazzeri, allows these women to swim while wearing the burkini, a full-body swimsuit commonly worn by Muslim women. The move is framed as a step toward inclusion and well-being, aiming to accommodate women who might otherwise avoid the pool during standard operating times due to religious considerations. The decision has drawn both praise and criticism. While the local association Armonia and the mayor have endorsed the plan, viewing it as an opportunity to engage women who typically do not attend during traditional hours, opposition has emerged from several political groups. Silvia Sardone, vice secretary of the League party, has called the initiative “a senseless choice” that does not promote inclusion but instead fosters segregation. She argues that reserving the pool exclusively for a specific group creates a form of institutionalized separation, reinforcing divisions rather than bridging them. Similar criticisms have been voiced by other parties, including the Friuli-Venezia Giulia branch of the League, Brothers of Italy, Future National Bolzano, and the Freiheitlichen, which have condemned the measure as “integration turned upside down.” Defenders of the project, however, argue that respect for individual choices should be acknowledged within reasonable boundaries. Don Paolo Renner, a theologian and director of the Institute of Religious Sciences in Bolzano, stated that the Christian idea of respect involves meeting others’ needs where flexibility is possible. He emphasized that in a multicultural community like Salorno, where coexistence functions smoothly, creating a climate of mutual understanding is essential. According to Renner, the initiative could help maintain the positive atmosphere of integration that already exists in the area. This debate over gender-separated swimming hours is not new to Alto Adige. In 2009, similar discussions arose when the mayor of Bolzano, Luigi Spagnolli, proposed allocating time slots for Muslim women to swim, leading to widespread protests that ultimately led to the abandonment of the idea known as “Frauenschwimmen.” The concept originated in Bergamo, where the diocese had allocated a weekly slot for women to swim in accordance with their religious practices. However, such proposals often face resistance, as they are perceived as promoting segregation rather than true integration. Beyond Alto Adige, the practice of offering separate hours for women is more common in neighboring countries. In cities like Vienna and Munich, some public pools reserve certain times for female visitors, catering not only to Muslim women but also to individuals with disabilities, those who are overweight, or victims of violence. These facilities aim to provide inclusive access while respecting diverse needs. Yet, this approach continues to divide opinions, as evidenced by recent debates over fashion trends involving young people choosing to swim in cotton underwear under swim trunks, a trend that has even overshadowed concerns about hygiene. The ongoing discussion highlights how issues related to gender, religion, and public space continue to challenge societal norms. As the situation unfolds, the broader implications of such initiatives remain uncertain, leaving room for further dialogue and reflection.