Primark Halts Burkini Sales in Spain Amid Growing Controversy

The burkini had generated a lot of interest last summer. Primark had conducted a campaign during the period to meet the growing demand for this garment in Spain, where the Muslim population is growing rapidly. But this year, the company did not offer this product. "It was sold a lot last year, but this year we haven’t received any," store employees at El Confidencial say, without giving details on this decision.

The product was accepted by Spanish customers, but continues to be controversial, it is explained from Primark’s headquarters in Ireland, specifying that the garment would no longer be available in its stores in Spain, even in areas with a high concentration of Muslim population. The company offered its burkini at a promotional price of around 31 euros. Young Muslim women particularly liked this garment, which is a mix of burqa and bikini.

The burkini was created in 2004 by Australian athlete of Lebanese origin Aheda Zanetti, a sportswear designer. It covers the entire body, except the face, hands and feet. For years, the burkini has sparked a major controversy in countries like France, where the Council of State decided last summer to ban it in swimming pools for "hygiene and safety reasons."

In Spain, the far-right candidate recently elected mayor of Ripoll (Girona) demanded a few weeks ago the banning of this garment. The Generalitat de Catalunya is trying to prevent the adoption of municipal decrees enshrining this ban. The Muslim community in Spain continues to grow and would currently be composed of 2.3 million people.