Muslim Beauties Upset Fatwa Disqualified Them from Miss Malaysia

Four young Muslim women who were disqualified from the Miss Malaysia World 2013 over a fatwa banning their participation are speaking out.

The decision came by way of Federal Territories mufti Datuk Wan Zahidi Wan Teh.

He said beauty pageants were declared haram, or sinful, under the Administration of Islamic Laws Act.

Wafa Johanna de Corte is a Muslim contestant for Miss World 2013.

“I think it’s unfair when the pageant had accommodated Muslim women.I’ve had people come up to me saying it’s unfair Malays can't represent Malaysia.”

The Federal Territories mufti Wan Zahidi Wan Teh  had opposed the four finalists' participation based on a 1996 fatwa which reportedly prohibited organising or taking part in such beauty pageants.

But the pageant has apparently amended its guidelines to accommodate modest dressing for Muslim women.

In June, the Miss World Organisation chairperson Julia Morley had confirmed that the pageant was dropping its famed swimsuit portion of the competition.

“Before the actual interview we were actually told Muslims were allowed to participate. The finals are in Bali. Bali being a Muslim country there will be no swimsuits. And Datuk Adna assured us during the Malaysian rounds, Muslims would be attired in sportswear.”

One of the disqualified contestants, Sara Amelia Bernard, has called for the fatwa that led to her disqualification to be amended.

In the meantime, Miss Malaysia World official pageant organiser Anna Lim is trying to find a way to bring the girls back into the competition

“She’s talking to a few people in order to have the ban lifted... Indonesia is a Muslim country and it doesn't have the same fatwa.”

Wafa is still in college and has her own modelling career.

She says she is keen to rejoin the competition should she be allowed back in.