Moment Muslim woman is forced off French Riviera beach for wearing burkini in protest over clothing ban

A MUSLIM woman from Australia has been forced off a beach in France in just minutes for wearing a burkini.

Zeynab Alshelh, from Sydney, travelled to Europe after becoming upset at France's burkini ban, imposed in the wake of the terror attack in Nice.

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In an attempt to show solidarity with local Muslims, the medical student and her mother wore burkinis during a trip to a French Riviera beach with her father.

But, despite the fact the burkini ban has been overturned France's highest court, the family were met with abuse from locals, including hand gestures and comments.

She told Australian TV Channel Seven: "'We were threatened by locals to leave the beach and if we didn't they were going to call the police. They weren't happy with us being there, even though it was on the beach that the burkini ban was overturned but the locals were not happy.

"There shouldn't be a connection between terrorism and the burkini and there shouldn't be a connection between terrorism and Islam altogether.

"I have a nose, you have a nose you have two eyes, I have two eyes - everything is the same just slight difference in your believe systems."

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Frustrated by the locals' response, Zeynab joined forces with a local Muslim woman to answer questions about the swimsuit, which is designed to preserve Muslim women's modesty. However, locals were once again unfriendly.

Zeynab, who has been wearing the hijab since the age of 10, explained: "'I just wanted to see it for myself, I wanted to see what is going on here – why is this happening – I want to speak to the girls who have gone through this kind of stuff."

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Since the ban was overturned in France, several towns including Nice have opted to ignore the ruling.

The burkini was invented by Australian Aheda Zanetti, and around 40 per cent of sales are from non-Muslim women.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding the swimming garment, Zanetti told the Daily Mail Australia: "Have they misunderstood?

"I introduced the burkini for integration, for freedom, and they've used it in a negative way."