Kuwait warns against wearing bikinis on beaches

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Kuwait security officials have warned that wearing bikinis at public beaches is an act of indecency.

They said dressing indecently on beaches amounted to provocations to character of the Kuwaiti society and would not be sanctioned.

"Wearing a bikini on public beaches is not acceptable in our community," Gule news quoted Adel Al Hashash, head of public relations and moral awareness department and acting head of the interior ministry security information department, saying.

"Visitors should respect the traditions and wear decent outfits. This does not mean we will arrest any woman swimming in a bikini if she did not act immorally," Adel Al Hashash said.

Under Kuwait's laws, police are in charge of monitoring public places, but not private places.

"Hotels, clubs and houses are considered to be private places and we cannot enter or take an action unless we have the proper permission or there is a complaint. However, when it is about public beaches, we can take action against any person committing immoral acts," he said.

According to Mishari Al Ayada, an attorney, swimming in a bikini in public may be considered an indecent act by some people.

Al Ayada said that violators were usually required to pay fines.

"We live in a conservative society and people, especially foreigners, should respect this fact," he said.

"People have to appreciate that it is not proper for a woman to be in a bikini at a public beach. The situation is different in private clubs. In these private clubs or hotels, it is fine to wear swimsuits and bikinis," he said.