A Burqini™ or Birqini, is the name given to a swimsuit for Muslim girls who want to remain modestly within the Islamic standards of dress for women.

Such standards are known as Hijab, and many humble Muslim women follow them as an expression of their religious faith.

The appearence of the Burqini™ constituted a breakthrough for female Muslim athletes, who had up to that time struggled with the idea of sportswear. The Australian-based creator of the Burqini™ is now working on other costume components of Muslim sportswear, contrived so that Muslim women can actively take part in a wide range of sports.

The ideals and regulations of Hijab are often difficult for non-Muslims to get their heads around. Hijab basically makes rules for Muslim girls that state that they are expected to keep their hair and chests concealed while in public.

Women are also expected to wear baggy or loose fitting clothes, and their legs and arms as well for additional modesty. Hijab is outfitted in a number of ways in different nations, from the Afghan burqa which shrouds the entire body to much less obvious headscarves and blouses.

To non-Muslim Westerners Hijab looks like a real straight-jacket for women, however for Muslim women, it is a central part of their spiritual identity.

Aheda Zanetti, who is a Lebanese Muslim now living in Australia, realized that she could produce a needed product in the sportswear market by designing Muslim sportswear. Her desire was to promote participation in sports for Muslim women, in order to keep them healthy, fit, and active. One of her initital contributions to the sportswear market was the Burqini™. The birqini can of course be worn by religious women of other faiths,or women who simply want to cover up, so to speak, for personal reasons, that have nothing to do with religion per se.

Keeping the restrictions of Hijab in mind, the two-piece birqini fits a girl loosely, but still allows her freedom of movement. The swimwear itself is made from a heavy material which does not turn translucent when it becomes wet, and it comes with a hood to cover the hair as well as a tunic which goes partway down the thighs, in addition to a set of corresponding bottoms or pants.

The development of the Burqini™ was cheered by modest Muslim women the world over, since it permitted them to swim openenly and in comfort, without wearing overly heavy clothing or makeshift Hijab.