On May 14, two “fundamentalist” Sunni religious dignitaries accompanied by “followers” stormed the public beach of Saida in southern Lebanon and demanded bathing couples “leave the place because of the women’s clothing, which was considered indecent,” as reported by the Lebanese daily L’Orient-Le Jour.
The case quickly became a nationwide issue, especially after complaints from another couple who refused to comply with the requests, saying they had been physically assaulted.
On Sunday, May 21, two banned protests took place in front of Saida’s public beach: On one side were “feminist protesters demanding the right of women to access this beach without clothing restrictions,” and on the other, “a group of Islamists who rejected the presence of women in swimwear,” the Lebanese newspaper reported.
Some shouted “Allah Akbar” (“Allah is great”), while others chanted “Feminist revolt against patriarchy.”
The Saida Municipality has banned alcoholic beverages on public beaches and called on beachgoers to “adhere to proper attire.” These instructions can be read on signs at the entrance to the beach. Courrier International