For some Muslim women, going to the pool or beach used to be difficult because of Islam's traditional emphasis on modest dress -- but no longer.

Thanks to new full-body swimsuits developed specifically with these women in mind, Muslim girls and women may be poolside more often.

"If you really believe in the Islam tradition, you run into problems at pools and beaches," said Sarah Jumali (senior-biotechnology), a member of the Muslim Student Association. "I've only been to a pool once, but there were no men there, so I didn't have the problem."

In many Muslim countries, the sexes are commonly separated in pools and on beaches, Jumali said. In America, however, these places are predominantly co-ed, which means some Muslim women have to abide by their personal beliefs about modesty, she said.

"I think women will feel more comfortable at pools and beaches now," Jumali said. "Probably, there will be more Muslim women at these places."

The definition of modesty varies between different Muslim countries, said Jonathan Brockopp, associate professor of history and religious studies.

For many Muslim women, these swimsuits will be helpful, but for others, it is not necessary to cover the entire body at the pool or beach, he said. "There are no explicit rules that would cover all Muslim cultures at all times," he said. "It's not as if a woman who wears a regular bathing suit is not a traditional Muslim. It's individual taste. You'll find a wide variety of swimwear on Muslims and non-Muslims alike."

The suits can be found at different online swimsuit stores, including splashgearusa.com. This store was founded by Shereen Sabet and is based out of Huntington Beach, Calif. Sabet, an avid scuba diver, wondered how she could continue to dive after becoming a more observant Muslim woman, according to her Web site.

"How could I reconcile my religious obligations with my desire to swim with the fishes and reflect upon God's Creation?" she wrote.

Sabet said she realized there was a world of women who had to deal with this same problem, which encouraged her to found the online store.

"I just wanted to provide alternative swimming clothes for people who want to have fun in the water and haven't been able to in the past," she said.

Sabet has been met with praise from not only Muslims but people from many different cultures, she said. "I've been deluged with positive responses from Muslims and non-Muslims, and even some men as well, which has been amazing," she said. "I'm confident and very sure now that the line will sell well."

At splashgearusa.com, each bathing suit piece is sold separately, but most Muslim women purchase three-piece suits, according to Sabet. These sets range in price from $100 for a cap, shirt and pants, to $115 for a hood, shirt and skirted-pants.

The polyester, nylon and Lycra material allows for flexible movement in the water and does not stick to the woman's body when she exits the ocean or pool, she said.

"The great thing is that they don't absorb water," she said. "They are very light and they're thin, so they're safe and very comfortable."

For many Muslim women, these suits offer the only alternative to wearing regular clothes when swimming. "I might buy one, because before I heard about these, I just had to wear normal clothing to the pool," Jumali said. "The only problem is that they're expensive."

The suits now being made are increasingly fashionable, and some include sequins, bright colors, intricate designs, and some even have miniskirts that fit over the pants, Sabet said.

Copyright © 2007 Collegian Inc.