"Men Banned from Wearing Shorts Swimsuits"…Why Did Algerian Beach Resort Take Drastic Measures?

Famous for its emerald-colored sea, rocky coast, and dense forests, this place attracts numerous tourists every summer

This is Algeria, a Mediterranean coastal country located in North Africa.

A tourist city in Algeria, Chetaibi

"The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and lively"

"There is no hostility towards beachgoers, neither in words nor in looks."

"The people here have a tradition of hospitality towards guests"

However

The peaceful coastal village of Chetaibi has started to become lively and noisy.

'Shorts Swimsuit' Ban Controversy

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According to AP News on the 23rd (local time), the mayor of Chetaibi, a small tourist city with a population of 8,000, Layachi Allaoua, issued an order earlier this month banning men from wearing 'shorts swimsuits', but withdrew the order after just two days.

Mayor Allaoua sparked controversy by claiming that men's shorts swimsuits are "obscene."

Through social media, he stated, "Such summer attire makes residents uncomfortable and goes against our society's moral values and etiquette," and added, "Residents can no longer tolerate seeing outsiders walking around the streets in inappropriate clothing."

So What Should They Wear?

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The outsiders he referred to are visitors from other regions of Algeria and foreigners. He insisted that even tourists visiting Algeria should wear the long and loose shorts preferred by conservative Muslim male beachgoers.

Additionally, Muslim women wear burkinis at the beach. The word is a combination of burka, a traditional garment covering the entire body including the face, and bikini. The burkini is a swimsuit created to uphold the Islamic tradition of women covering their bodies.

Traditional Values vs. Tourism Industry?

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Regarding the 'shorts controversy', officials from the regional capital Annaba expressed concern that the ban could negatively impact tourism and demanded that the order be withdrawn. Some residents also reacted by questioning whether the authorities were 'succumbing to conservatives'. As a result, the ban on shorts swimsuits was withdrawn after just two days.

In response, Mayor Allaoua explained on social media that it was not due to pressure from Islamists, but rather an unavoidable measure for the 'peace and stability' of both local residents and tourists.

A Glimpse into Cultural Conflicts in Islamic Countries

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Algeria is an Islamic country where 95% of the population is Muslim. The country has traditionally suppressed Christianity and its criminal code defines blasphemy as a crime. Algerian Christians can face up to five years in prison for sharing their faith with others, and the small number of Christian believers are known to be mostly foreigners.

Some observers say that this incident has revived dark memories among locals of the past, when local governments dominated by Islamic extremists tried to reshape public life based on religious doctrine.