Wearing headscarves and judged partly on
their knowledge of the particular Koran, 18 finalists took part in the beauty
contest using a difference in Indonesia on Friday : one exclusively regarding
Muslims, and seen as a riposte to American beauty pageants.
Using a doctor and a pc scientist among their particular number, the final contenders on earth Muslimah Award paraded inside glittering dresses contrary to the backdrop of world-renowned ancient temples for your contest in the particular world's most population Muslim-majority country.
But
they have been being judged not merely their appearance but in addition on how
well they are able to recite verses from your Koran and their particular views
on Islam in the modern world.
"We
want to find out that they understand everything in regards to the Islamic life
style - from just what they eat, just what they wear, where did they live their
lifestyles, " said Jameyah Sheriff, one of many organisers.
The
final winner was any 25-year-old computer scientist coming from Tunisia, Fatma
Dan Guefrache, whose winning prize included a rare metal watch, a gold dinar
plus a mini pilgrimage to be able to Mecca.
"May
almighty Allah help me on this mission, and totally free Palestine, please, you
should, free Palestine as well as the Syrian people, " she said in the
tearful acceptance presentation.
The
World Muslimah Merit first drew international attention in 2013 any time
organisers presented it being a peaceful protest to be able to Miss World,
which was occurring around once on the holiday resort island of Bali.
In
an endeavor to appease hardliners, Miss World organisers axed the particular
bikini round for your Bali edition, nevertheless the event still sparked
demonstrations from Islamic radicals which dubbed it any "whore
contest".
'Headscarves
not necessarily scary'
British
contestant Dina Torkia mentioned she hoped this kind of year's World Muslimah
Award wouldn't normally only provide any contrast to American beauty pageants,
yet would also dispel prejudices in opposition to Islam.
"I
think the most important thing is to show that individuals are really typical
girls, we usually are not married to terrorists. This kind of scarf on my own
head isn't terrifying, " she advised AFP.
However,
the particular 2014 pageant provides faced challenges, with seven finalists
dropping out among others struggling with Indonesia's complex bureaucracy to
have visas.
Most
who taken out did so because their loved ones did not want these to travel
alone, Sheriff mentioned.
The
Indian contestant overlooked her initial airline flight as she was being
questioned by officials who have been suspicious of a lady travelling alone and
also wearing a headscarf, although she squeezed on a aircraft later.
Others
have visited great lengths to indulge in the fourth edition with the event,
with Masturah Binte Jamil stopping her teaching career in Singapore right after
her employer wouldn't normally give her moment off to get involved.
Organizers hope presenting positive role designs for Islamic women around the globe and
the contestants, that are aged between 20 and 27, add a newly qualified medical
doctor from Bangladesh.
However,
not everyone was enjoying the last rounds, with Britain's Torkia declaring her
initial optimism had changed into disappointment.
"I
came into this competition hoping that we would leave together with my faith
improved, but so far this has been a lot concerning promotion and mass media
and looking great, " she mentioned.
Friday's
finale caps a long process, which included a great online audition accompanied
by two weeks regarding events in Indonesia.
During
their time in Indonesia, contestants have been to orphanages and assisted
living facilities, and had their particular pictures taken with Borobudur, a
famous Buddhist temple near Yogyakarta, Java's ethnic heartland.
The
finale occurs on a stage contrary to the backdrop of Prambanan, a ninth-century
intricate of Hindu temples around the island of Java this is a UNESCO World
Traditions Site.
Hosting
the wedding at a Hindu web site was a conscious decision showing that Muslims
are usually accepting of some other religions, organisers mentioned