Prambanan (Indonesia):
A Tunisian woman called for a free Palestine as she won a pageant exclusively for Muslims in Indonesia on Friday, seen as a riposte to Western beauty contests.
All covered still beautiful
Eighteen finalists, who include a doctor and a computer scientist, paraded in glittering dresses against the backdrop of world-renowned ancient temples for the contest in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country.
Epitome of beauty
Computer scientist Fatma Ben Guefrache was announced the winner and received a prize which includes a gold watch, a gold dinar, and mini pilgrimage to Mecca.
Left: Tears of joy, Right: Pretty in Pink
“May almighty Allah help me in this mission, and free Palestine, please, please, free Palestine and the Syrian people,†the tearful 25-year-old woman said.
Finalists of the 2014 World Muslimah Awards
The 18 finalists were required to wear the Muslim headscarf and judged not only on their appearance, but also on how well they recite verses from the Koran and their views on Islam in the modern world.
Finalist of the 2014 World Muslimah Awards, Nazreen Ali of India, in Yogyakarta
The Indian contestant missed her initial flight as she was being questioned by officials who were suspicious of a woman travelling alone and wearing a headscarf, although she managed to get on a plane later.
Nazreen, a finalist from India, prays in Yogyakarta
The World Muslimah Award first drew global attention in 2013 when organisers presented it as a peaceful protest to Miss World, which was taking place around the same time on the resort island of Bali.
Finalists of the 2014 World Muslimah Awards
While it remains popular in some countries, British-run Miss World has faced frequent accusations that it is degrading to women, and a round in which contestants pose in bikinis has been a lightning rod for criticism.
Picture shared on the Facebook Page ‘The World Muslimah Beauty’
In an effort to appease hardliners, Miss World organisers axed the bikini round for the Bali edition, but the event still sparked demonstrations from Islamic radicals.
(With PTI inputs)
