Muslim swimmers asked to leave Wilmington, Delaware, public swimming pool

Mayor Mike Purzycki's office refused to be interviewed about the incident In a statement sent by email John Rago, deputy mayor's deputy chief of staff for politics and communication, said the supposed ban on cotton is a security issue.

"There are rules and regulations of the city designed to ensure the safety of those who use the pools, "he said." One of the rules requires that all swimmers wear an appropriate swimsuit. "

Since publication, Purzycki has been in charge. is excused and stated that the city had shown a lack of judgment in its reality. He said that the city should also be held accountable for what happened.

"I apologize to the children who were ordered to leave a municipal pool because of the religious clothes they wore," Purzycki said. "We also referred to pool policies vaguely formulated to evaluate and then justify our poor judgment, and that was also wrong."

What means "correct attire" is not clear. The rules displayed by the city do not define appropriate bathing attire, except to prohibit "cut jeans". Rago pointed to the state language, but Delaware's only regulation regarding swimsuits in public pools is that swimsuits are "recommended".

No set of rules mention cotton.

"Among safety considerations is the fact that cotton becomes heavy when wet and weighs swimmers," Rago said in his statement. "Cotton also forces the filtration system of the pool more than the appropriate swimsuits."

For Naveed Baqir, the story of Isma'a eel is disappointing but nothing new. The executive director of the Delaware Council on Global and Muslim Affairs said that Muslims have long faced problems in public pools – so often, that many who can afford it buy memberships to private pools known to be Muslim.

"A long time ago, we gave up public pools," said Baqir, who said he was asked to leave an establishment years ago after attempting to swim covered legs. "For my own children, I prefer to pay the money and be treated like everyone else rather than put myself in an anxiety situation.

The community found shelter at Kids First Swim School in Elkton, Maryland, said Mr. Baqir

"The solution we found is OK, even if we pay taxes, we contribute in terms of civic responsibility, we will not just use it because it is not worth it. not the headache, "he said.

Baqir said that there was "absolutely no doubt" that the Isma'a eel camp was a target of selective enforcement.

"I am surprised that this has happened in the city of Wilmington which is supposed to be more progressive and accept," he said. "It's hard to get away from these situations when they happen in places where you feel you belong. What message do you give these kids?"

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Muslim students at Tarbiyah school a private bathing facility once a week. It's a place where they can wear a swimsuit conducive to their religious practice without discrimination.
Delaware News Journal

Wilmington's mom, Mia Miller, said her three children, ages 5, 6, and 10, were invited to leave Foster Brown's pool the following month latest. Her two youngest, the two girls, wear hijabs.

"It's discrimination from every point of view," she said. "I saw other children dressed the same way … My daughter was sitting there and cried that day because they had to get out of the pool."

The city ​​revises its signage for the pool, "said Rago, which states:" Swimmers must wear appropriate swimsuits (jerseys made of nylon, lycra, spandex and polyester are allowed, but cotton and woolen are not allowed). "

" The city will also recycle pool staff ready to explain to the public the reason for swimwear restrictions, "said Rago. "We apologize for any miscommunication with the family, but their safety was at the center of the city's concerns."

"We will not go beyond the statement yet," said Rago. On June 25, Ismaa & # 39; eel stated that she was "harassed" twice by the Pool Manager about her cotton-wearing program participants. On July 6, Kevin Kelley, Parks Canada Director, responded. to an email from Ismaa's eel the pool manager "the importance of acting professionally."

He added that until the new signs are installed, his participants will be allowed to swim as they are.

"I can give more time for the kids (to) get the proper clothes, but they have to wear something other than cotton in the pool," he wrote Monday in an email obtained by The News Journal.

Purzycki's office would not allow Kelley to comment. The program director said that she made an effort to inform parents of the apparent rule, but many of them live below the poverty line and can not afford new swimsuits especially religious clothes which, according to Ishmael, can be expensive.

"The kids are wearing what they have," she said, adding that she was wearing cotton when she swam at the Price Run pool as a child. "For me, it was heartbreaking to have kids out of the pool … they were completely confused."

If cotton is really a problem, Ismaa's eel said her camp would find a way to work with her. But she said policies should be implemented throughout the city and be posted.

"You do not just do it," she says. "Sensitize people and do not treat them like that … (Children) do not know politics or policies of adults Children want to have fun."