Miss Turkey 
 
 

These beauty contests can be regarded as the most perfectly rendered theater in the emerging culture which perfectly captures what people yearn for: a low-class ritual, a polished restatement of vulgarity, that wants to open the door to high-class respectability by way of plain middle-class anxiety and ambition. Such contests are unthinkable in Islamic countries where still Millions of women observe Purdah and use Burqas and veils.

Recently on a television show in Pakistan beautiful girl was selected as a 21st Century Woman and awarded an expensive car. The show was sponsored by a cosmetic firm as part of their publicity campaign and the organizers took care that the participants maintain feminine grace and poise without exposing or revealing too much!  The show had continued for several weeks without attracting too much public attention and none of the extremists took notice as some of them want Muslim women to use burqa and veils.

Beauty pageants have been a long-standing American tradition but many good samaritans do not favor it. Its  history began in 1921 with the creation of the Miss America Beauty Pageant, which, in reality, was a publicity stunt used to entice tourists to stay in Atlantic City after Labor Day. Today, this annual national competition, as well as state and local pageants, showcase the talent, intellect, and beauty of modern women. The pageants provide popular entertainment for those at the competitions and, through TV to those watching at home. 

Beauty pageants in the style of Western World are becoming popular in China, Japan, Korea and developing countries like India, Thailand etc. These beauty contests can be regarded as the most perfectly rendered theater in the emerging culture which perfectly captures what people yearn for: a low-class ritual, a polished restatement of vulgarity, that wants to open the door to high-class respectability by way of plain middle-class anxiety and ambition. Such contests are unthinkable in Islamic countries where still Millions of women observe Purdah and use Burqas and veils.

Last year many people were shocked to learn that a Pakistani woman was participating in the Miss International Beauty contest in Tokyo. Pakistan government ordered its diplomats in Japan to contact the organisers and try to bar her from using the country's name. The orgnizers ignored that!

The News daily reported a front page story titled, 'Beauty queen or an ultimate disgrace', and also carried the picture of Noorani taking part in the pageant. 

"Miss Noorani, seen as a disgrace by many Pakistanis, was wearing ceremonial strap prominently inscribing "PAKISTAN", the daily said. 

According to the organisers 51 girls would compete for the Miss International crown on September 30 in Tokyo. Expressing shock over Noorani taking part in the contest, Tariq Janjua, the Secretary Culture, Sports and Tourism was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the government had nothing to do with "this shameful development." "We cannot allow this," Janjua said adding that such contests were in total "contrast" to the social and cultural values of Pakistan. 

Malaysia, Turkey and Indonesia seems to be three Muslim countries where beauty pagents are organized though protests are held in Indonesia about such events. The Governments of Islamic countries generally do not approve such events though in Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia they do not interfere because of their policies towards human rights and freedom of expression. 

Because of the ban imposed by most Islamic countries on participation in the International pagents girls from Pakistan, Afghanistan etc. living abroad have been taking part in the so called International beauty pagents unofficially and given below the links of the web pages where their photos and stories are available to seen. 

Zehra Sheerazi in Korea. Representing Pakistan in the Miss World University Pageant with pride. 

Zehra Sheerazi was awarded Miss Peace for being a peace messenger. She was the fourth runner up out of 40 contestants

Miss International Pakistan 2002- Neelam Noorani

http://www.misscanadapakistan.coms.ph/custom2.html

Beatuy Pageants in Muslim Countries

Miss Turkey became Miss world
http://www.geocities.com/misspakistanquest/

Natasha Newcombie is posing as Miss Pakistan
and Dosheezae Pakistan 
http://www.santabanta.com/gallery.asp?parent=Miss+World+2002&cat=Winner

Miss World Organization is welcoming Egypt after 50 years of winning Miss World back in 1954. Heba El-Sisy is Egypt's delegate in MISS WORLD 2004. After doing a great job in Miss Universe 2004, people expecting Heba to be one of the front runners. COVERAGE FROM MU04
http://missegypt.homestead.com/

Miss Lebanon unofficial site
http://www.misslebanon2003.com/

http://www.daleelaustralia.com/media/Miss_Lebanon_2003-Marie-Jose.php

Miss Malaysia/World 2004 Gloria Ting Mei-Ru presents herself during the beauty pageant in Kuala Lumpur on August 21, 2004. 
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-08/22/content_367704.htm

http://ferondi.tripod.com/missindonesiaunofficial/
Titi Dwi Jayanti (Titi DJ)
Miss Indonesia World 1983

She was the one and only ex-Miss Indonesia World that has becoming a succesful singer in Indonesia. 20 years ago she was still 17 years old when she joined Miss World 1983 and now she was one of the most famous singer in Indonesia. In 1999, she was awarded as "Best Female Singer" in Indonesia Music Award and her single "Bahasa Kalbu" achieved a huge record success. 

Chicago Sun-Times Online reported that populous Muslim nation, the 24-year-old Miss Indonesia faces condemnation from religious leaders and government ... asks Artika, who won the Miss Indonesia pageant.

Miss Afghnistan

Philippines — Miss Afghanistan Vida Samadzai (search), condemned in her homeland for parading in a bikini at the Miss Earth (search) contest, failed to make the semifinals but won the pageant's first "beauty for a cause" award on Sunday. 

The 23-year-old Samadzai, the first Afghan in three decades to take part in a beauty contest, she was cited for "symbolizing the newfound confidence, courage and spirit of today's women" and for "representing the victory of women's rights and various social, personal and religious struggles." Samadzai could face prosecution if she returns to her native country, a senior Afghan justice official said Saturday.

Fazel Ahmad Manawi, deputy head of Afghanistan's Supreme Court, told The Associated Press that Samadzai, a college student in California, had betrayed Afghan culture by appearing at the Miss Earth contest in a bikini — and may have also broken the law.

"I hope that this lady regrets her actions," Manawi said. He added that Afghan prosecutors may open an investigation, but refused to say what charges or penalties Samadzai could face.

Regardless of any legal action, Samadzai's parading down a catwalk in a red bikini during the contest's qualification was a radical departure from the traditional image of Afghan women.

Even in the West many people do not approve Beauty Pagents. But the supporters of MTV culture are more vocal and their number is increasing at galloping rates.