Religious conservatives clash with tourists on Algerian beach

In Chetaïbi, a small Algerian coastal town known for attracting thousands of domestic tourists every summer, a new rule that banned Bermuda shorts has ignited tensions between religious conservatives and tourists, the Associated Press reports.

The town’s mayor, who issued the decree, argued that short swim trunks are indecent.

“These summer outfits disturb the population, they go against our society’s moral values and sense of decency,” Mayor Layachi Allaoua wrote.

“The population can no longer tolerate seeing foreigners wandering the streets in indecent clothing,” he added.

The ban caught many by surprise and drew backlash from regional officials and business owners who depend on the summer tourist season. Under mounting criticism, the mayor reversed the ban within days, claiming it aimed to protect “peace and tranquility” rather than appease Islamist groups.

The incident has revived memories of Algeria’s turbulent 1990s, when a civil war between Islamists and the state killed around 200,000 people. Though the conflict ended decades ago, underlying tensions remain. Some see this local dress code dispute as part of a broader push by conservative groups to reshape public life, especially as economic difficulties strain the government’s grip.

In nearby Jijel, videos of mass prayers on beaches and vandalized cars with warnings to tourists have fueled fears of growing religious pressure. Many worry that such moves could threaten Algeria’s fragile tourism sector.