Swimming harem pants at the swimming pool: are they allowed?

The sarouel is the swimwear worn by Muslim men. It covers from the navel to just below the knees. It complies with the rules regarding the awra and allows men to swim whilst maintaining modesty. However, in France, not everyone accepts it. Public swimming pools, private swimming pools, beaches: the rules aren’t the same everywhere. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

What exactly are swim harem trousers?

The Swim sarouel are Islamic swim shorts Designed for use in the water. It is made from polyester or Lycra, materials that dry quickly and do not retain water. It is neither a pair of beach shorts nor streetwear. It is a genuine Muslim swimsuit, designed for swimming.

It has a loose fit. It reaches up to the navel and down to just below the knee. Some styles have a Lycra lining to ensure they remain opaque when wet. Others feature a built-in briefs.

The Qaba’il brand, for example, offers swim harem trousers made from technical fabrics, with cuts that comply with Islamic requirements. Visually, the swim harem trousers resemble long sports shorts. Nothing out of the ordinary. But this loose-fitting style poses a problem as soon as you enter a public swimming pool in France.

At the public swimming pool, swimming harem trousers are not allowed

The rule on close-fitting clothing

French municipal swimming pools require swimwear that fits snugly to the body. For men, only the following swimwear is permitted in the pools:

• swimming trunks
• the tight-fitting short boxer shorts
• the jammer (long, form-fitting boxer shorts)
• the aquatic cyclist

Anything baggy is not allowed. The rule does not take the fabric of the garment into account. It is the cut that matters. A pair of harem trousers made from technical Lycra will be rejected just as readily as a pair of cotton Bermuda shorts. Baggy means no.

Why swimming pools ban baggy clothing

Pool managers cite two main reasons.

• The first is hygiene. Loose-fitting clothing may have been worn all day in town. It may carry bacteria into the pool. Its pockets may contain items or rubbish that could contaminate the water.

• The second is technical. Bulky swimwear absorbs far more water than a close-fitting swimsuit. This overloads the filters and disrupts the pool’s chemical balance.

These rules apply to everyone. Surfers’ board shorts, tourists’ Bermuda shorts and Muslims’ swimming harem trousers are all banned for the same reasons.

What the law says about modest swimwear

In 2022, the city of Grenoble sought to allow the burkini in its swimming pools. The Council of State blocked this decision on 21 June 2022. Its position is simple: a municipal swimming pool is a public service. It cannot change its rules to accommodate a religious request. This is the principle of neutrality in public services.

This rule also applies to men’s swim harem trousers. Regardless of the material, harem trousers are a loose-fitting garment. Public swimming pools may refuse them, and their regulations require them to do so.

At a private swimming pool, it depends on the venue

A private swimming pool is not a public facility. It is not subject to the same obligations. Each establishment sets its own rules.

Some apply the same rules as a public swimming pool. Others allow modest swimwear and long shorts. There are no standard national rules for private swimming pools.

The best thing to do is to ring the venue before you set off. Ask straight away whether loose-fitting clothes or modest swimwear are allowed. It doesn’t take long and it saves you from any unpleasant surprises at the door.

An important point to note: in 2018, the Defender of Rights issued two rulings following the refusal to allow women wearing burkinis into private establishments (Decisions Nos. 2018-297 and 2018-303). A swimming pool may require appropriate swimwear for hygiene reasons. However, refusing entry to someone solely on the grounds of their religion constitutes discrimination. This protection also applies to a man wearing Islamic swimming harem trousers.

At the beach, swimming harem trousers are allowed

The beach is not a public service. The rules there are very different. On a French beach, the only requirement is to wear appropriate clothing. A pair of harem-style swimming trousers, a modest swim shorts, an Islamic swimsuit for men: all of this is perfectly legal.

The Council of State has confirmed this on two occasions. In 2016, it quashed the local by-laws that banned full-body swimwear on certain beaches. In July 2023, it overturned the decree issued by the mayor of Mandelieu-La-Napoule, who had sought to ban clothing with religious connotations on his beaches.

Personal freedom and freedom of conscience take precedence. A modest swimsuit poses no threat to public order.

At sea, on a lake, in a river, on any sandy beach: a man can go for a swim in Islamic swim harem trousers with no legal restrictions whatsoever. It’s the ideal place to enjoy the water in complete privacy and freedom.

Quick summary

Which pair of swim harem trousers should you choose for the beach?

When swimming in the sea or in natural waters, the fabric is crucial. Polyester and Lycra are the best options. These The fabrics dry quickly and remain lightweight when wet. Cotton should be avoided: it makes the outfit feel heavy and takes a long time to dry.

Here are the things to check before buying a pair of swim harem trousers:

• the cut falls nicely to the navel
• the garment falls below the knee
• the fabric remains opaque when wet
• An inner Lycra lining is a real bonus

The Qaba’il brand, which we stock, offers swim harem trousers that comply with Islamic law, with cuts that cover the awra and modern styles suitable for swimming.