A public swimming pool in Germany has banned Muslim women from wearing the ‘burqini’ after complaints from non-Islamic bathers.

Only one woman wore the total-body swimsuit – complete with head covering – during an all-female swim day at the baths in Neutraubling near Regensburg last week.

But the sight so offended other swimmers that town officials decided to post the ban on all burqinis being worn in future.

A local newspaper report said there were loud complaints from the other female swimmers when the Muslim woman swam and did water aerobics in the all-over costume.

‘Why the burqini as a full-body suit would be necessary to wear during a women’s swim day is for me incomprehensible,’ said mayor Heinz Kiechle said.

‘Only generally typical apparel is to be worn,’ he added. 

‘Because the pool is financed publicly for all people it makes no sense to have special arrangements for individual religions if this adseresly affects the general public.

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The sight of a woman in a covered bathing suit so offended the other women that burkinis are now banned at the public pool (file photo)

‘This also contradicts the fundamental ideas of integration and mutual understanding, which is always being discussed in many towns.’

He added that some refugees had tried to go swimming in their underwear and this was banned too.

The burqini ban, while seemingly supported by townspeople, has offended some politicians and human rights groups.

‘We see this case not only as a clear violation of fundamental rights but also as a blow to humanity and tolerance,’ stated the youth wing of the Green Party.