New dress code marks shift in policy following Assad’s ouster
DAMASCUS: The Syrian government has issued a new directive requiring women to wear burkinis or other modest swimwear that covers the body when visiting public beaches and swimming pools, while allowing Western-style swimsuits at private clubs, luxury hotels, and designated private beaches.
The decision, announced by the Ministry of Tourism this week, is part of a broader public safety and conduct decree dated June 9, ahead of the summer season. It marks the first official dress code regulation issued by the government since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December.
During the decades-long rule of the Assad family, grounded in secular Arab nationalist ideology, the state did not impose dress codes. Though public beachgoers often dressed modestly in accordance with local norms, there were no official mandates on swimwear.
Details of the New Guidelines
According to the decree, visitors to public beaches and pools are expected to wear “appropriate swimwear that respects public decency and the feelings of various segments of society”. For women, this means opting for burkinis or other body-covering swimsuits, and wearing a cover-up or robe when moving away from the beach or pool area.
Men are also required to wear shirts when not swimming and are prohibited from being bare-chested in public areas such as hotel lobbies and restaurants.
Outside designated swimming areas, the government encourages beachgoers to wear loose-fitting clothing that covers at least the shoulders and knees, and to avoid tight or transparent garments.
However, the new rules make exceptions for private venues, including four-star and five-star hotels, where Western swimwear is allowed, provided it remains within the bounds of public decorum and taste.
Shift Toward Conservative Policy
The decree reflects a broader cultural shift in post-Assad Syria. Since the regime’s fall, there has been a visible rise in conservative messaging, including public flyers encouraging women to cover up. Still, this is the first time authorities have officially mandated a more modest dress code.
The change comes as Syria adjusts to a new political order, shaped in part by Islamist factions who played key roles in the rebellion. A temporary constitution passed earlier this year notably strengthened references to Sharia law, sparking debate over the future character of the Syrian state.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former leader of an al Qaeda-linked group, has avoided giving direct answers about the government’s position on implementing Sharia, stating that such decisions should be left to religious and legal scholars.
