On Sunday, tensions escalated in Sidon following a women’s rally to plead for freedom of beach attire, while the other group demanded the imposition of modest beach attire on the public beach. Security Forces separated the protesting groups to prevent any further escalation.

Caretaker Minister of Tourism Walid Nassar condemned the incident in Sidon, asserting that “culture and freedom should be respected.” In a statement on a local TV station, he added: “we seek to achieve a civil state and the beach is public property, I will make all necessary contacts with Ministers to find a solution and I implore the citizens of Sidon to act on their best behavior.”

MP Mark Daou expressed his opinion on the matter, saying that “it is within the rights of Lebanese people to go to public beaches in the way they see fit, and freedom of speech and belief is a right to all.”

In the early hours of Sunday, a group of residents gathered on the beach in opposition of women wearing “indecent” swimsuits, while the other group, activists and feminist associations, gathered in favor of “freedom of expression” and moral tolerance.

The Sidon Municipality raised a large sign at the entrance of Sidon Public Beach, reminding visitors of a set of rules and regulations, including modest attire and the prohibition of alcohol and beverages on the beach.

On Saturday, Mohammad Saoudi, the mayor of Sidon, banned the two rival gatherings which were scheduled for Sunday in the South Lebanon town’s public beach. These gatherings were called in response to the harassment of four swimsuit-wearing beach-goers on May 14th. Saoudi said in a statement that “the municipality has still not opened the public beach. It is prohibited to organize any activity or protest without prior municipal agreement to ensure the safety of people, the city of Sidon, and its inhabitants.”

Maysa Hanouni Yaafouri, who was assaulted in Sidon, filed a complaint against the sheikhs responsible for the incident and expressed her anger regarding the decision of the mayor. This was followed by a lot of turmoil and sparked reactions from religious leaders and civil society groups.

In a poster circulating on social media since Friday, feminist groups and activists called for a rally on Sunday at 11 a.m. on the beach where the incident happened, to plead for “freedom of expression” and moral tolerance. Meanwhile, on Saturday, calls for a counter-demonstration also circulated on social media to protest “in favor of modesty, virtue, and against nudity.”