Cannes mayor wins gold medal for burkini bigotry and politics of shame

I see parallels between my mother’s experience... and the latest French statements banning women in burkinis, writes Roja Fazaeli

I have always wanted to be a better swimmer. No time of the year throws this kind of desire in my face more than summer — and an Olympic year summer to boot!

In Iran we lived beside the Caspian Sea. On stormy days I could feel spray from the sea on our faces when we stood on the balcony of my grandparents’ house in Tonekabon, a small seaside city in the north of the country. Between 1980-1988, when I was growing up, Iran and Iraq were at war and economic sanctions were in place. There were no swimming classes and very limited sports opportunities, particularly for girls. During summers we begged any member of the family to take us to the sea. My mum usually preferred to come with us to make sure we were safe.