An official directive for swimmers to "cover up" at a Melbourne swimming pool has drawn criticism from many who say it's restrictive and unfair.
A group of Muslim swimming enthusiasts has successfully requested the ban on skimpy outfits to coincide with Ramadan next year.
In multi-cultural Dandenong, east of Melbourne, many residents hail from land-locked African nations.
There's a strong push to increase water safety awareness after a spate of drownings in the community.
But it hasn't stopped criticism of an inter-faith women's swim group which called for a temporary "dress code."
Some residents are angered that they are being asked to cover up.
But others are disappointed at such a reaction, after organisers were trying to organise the event to foster tolerence and harmony within the community.
Dandenong Council sought the exemption from the equal opportunity act to allow for the restriction during Ramadan, and it's been granted by Victoria's Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The Mayor of Dandenong says it's not such a big deal.
“The dress code is t-shirt and board shorts. It's covering the shoulders and covering the knees. Most people dress in board shorts and t-shirts every day.”
The restriction would apply only in August of next year, for two hours in the evening, for one night.
A Liberty Victoria spokesperson said the outcry is overblown.
“It's a religious event. They're imposing a dress code as all sorts of people do in all sorts of situations - there's really nothing remarkable about this.”
Melbourne's Muslim community remains divided on the restriction.
Some say there should not be restrictions on non-Muslims, while others including Baha Yehia are keen to leave the decision-making to the organisers.
“As organisers, they're the ones who set the rules, and if they see that it's in their interest to have these rules, then they know best.”
The ban applies to those aged 10 and over.
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