A Muslim woman has alleged that a lifeguard has not only kicked her out of a public swimming pool but also mocked her looks because she was wearing a burkini, a full-body swimsuit designed for Muslim women.

The incident occurred at Henderson’s West Wave public swimming pool in Auckland, New Zealand, when the mother-of-three attempted to swim together with her kids while wearing a burkini.

According to one of the witnesses, the woman was not only told to leave but also mocked by lifeguards who told her that her choice of wear was not in accordance with their policies.

“They were wearing a burkini that was covering the head right down to the arms and legs. It’s a full cover, but it’s tog material,” the witness, who claimed three Muslim mothers appeared at the pool in a burkini, revealed according to the NZ Herald.

“They had their kids with them, they were supervising their kids. Then one woman went into the pool with her kids and that’s when she was singled out by the lifeguard and told to leave.

“It just felt very public and very singled out. Another man in the pool tried to talk to the lifeguard too. It was very upsetting to see.”

Following the incident, the witness allegedly overheard three lifeguards laughing about the women’s choice of wear while on duty.

“The three of them laughed and continued to roll their eyes, laugh and discuss the situation,” she added.

“I do feel for the lifeguards because no manager was coming down to handle the situation, that’s partly where the laughing and sniggering comes from.”

As the woman added, the decision to have the mother removed because of a burkini appeared unfair because there were allegedly other people who were allowed to stay in the pool despite wearing forbidden swimming clothing such as denim shorts.

Earlier that day, the witness allegedly saw another Muslim woman who got turned away by the staff right at the reception.

“We witnessed a pregnant Muslim woman wearing tog-material swimwear that covered her head, arms and legs being told at reception that she could not come into the West Wave Pool because she was not wearing swimwear that adhered to the rules,” she added.

“We heard the receptionist speaking to a manager on a walkie, and then promptly saying that she did not make the rules and if she let her in, the lifeguards would just pull her out.

“The woman was with her daughter and was visibly upset by this. We let the woman know that she should complain and that it was unacceptable.”

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