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Discuss this article (19 Comments)Saudi girl crowned Miss Moral Beauty
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Saturday, 25 July 2009
zoomSAUDI RULES: The winner's face and body were completely covered by the black head-to-toe abaya mandatory in the Kingdom. (Getty Images)
Saudi beauty queen Aya Ali Al Mulla trounced 274 rivals to win a crown, jewellery, cash and a trip to Malaysia, and all without showing her face, Saudi media reported on Friday.
With her face and body completely covered by the black head-to-toe abaya mandatory in the conservative Muslim kingdom, 18-year-old Mullah was named "Queen of Beautiful Morals" late on Thursday, newspapers said.
There was none of the swimsuit and evening gown competitions and heavy media coverage of beauty pageants elsewhere when the contest was decided in the eastern city of Safwa.
Instead, the winner and the two runner-up princesses had to undergo a three-month test of their dutifulness to their parents and family, and their service to society.
This included a battery of personal, cultural, social and psychological tests, Al-Watan reported.
It was unclear exactly what Mullah did to pip her rivals in the huge field, but Al-Watan reported that the high school graduate had good grades and hopes to go into medicine.
She raked in a 5,000-riyal (1,333-dollar) prize, a pearl necklace, diamond watch, diamond necklace, and a free ticket to Malaysia with her win.
The 20-year-old first runner-up, one of triplets, had already won an education ministry-sponsored "I love you, my country" competition.
The second runner-up, a high school student aged 15, was cited for taking care of her home and family during the week because her mother works far from home and can only return on weekends.
Beauty contests focused on physical beauty are non-existent in segregated Saudi Arabia, where women can not mix with unrelated men, and must appear in public completely covered -- even in photographs.
Miss Moral Beauty pageant organiser Khadra al-Mubarak kept the focus on inner beauty, as defined by Islamic standards of Saudi Arabia.
"The real winner in this competition is the society. The winners represent the culture of the society and its high Islamic morals," Mubarak said, according to Al-Watan.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Mischievous Press!
Posted by Peter, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 1 August 2009 at 20:58 UAE time
It seems to me that this is a case of mischievous press. While the organisers of the event probably never meant it to be some ridiculous imitation of an already ridiculous concept (a beauty pageant), the press seem to have twisted it that way. Consequently, everyone is getting all militant, when really it is the press who are to blame for a heinous misrepresentation. There are plenty of cultural things worth arguing about, but I don't think this is one of them...
Posted by Peter, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 1 August 2009 at 20:58 UAE time
It seems to me that this is a case of mischievous press. While the organisers of the event probably never meant it to be some ridiculous imitation of an already ridiculous concept (a beauty pageant), the press seem to have twisted it that way. Consequently, everyone is getting all militant, when really it is the press who are to blame for a heinous misrepresentation. There are plenty of cultural things worth arguing about, but I don't think this is one of them...
What was the Point
Posted by Leo, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 30 July 2009 at 16:15 UAE time
Ms. Parveez and FA, your replies to the writer 'What was the point?' demonstrates a very arrogant, hostile, sarcastic and intolerant attitude. Islam does not allow for such attitudes. On this forum people write their views, either out of ignorance or knowledge does not matter. The important thing is that through a discussion forum even a person who may not be very well educated about the subject in question will get an opportunity to learn.
There are many Muslims in this world who cannot even read the Holy Quran. And there are many who do not know nor understand the real substance and soul of Islam. Examples abound like the Talibans, Al Qaeda, etc. Also, bear in mind that the message of Islam was not passed on to the Prophet (PBUH) by God in just one day. The Quran was revealed in stages.
Everyone, whether Muslim or non-Muslim have the right to engage in discussions to learn about Islam. Please note that even the Sahaba (followers of Prophet Mohammed, PBUH) were not thouroughly knowledgeable about Islam when they accepted Islam.
The event conducted in Saud Arabia is not something that is spoken of in the Quran, nor is it a part of Islam. It was just an event conducted within a society for their own vested reasons. It was based just on an idea conceived by a mere mortal.
There are varying opinions on the subject of the hijab and abaya even among Muslims, not just non-Muslims. Some Muslim women wear it out of free choice while there are others who wear it because of cultural, societal or family pressures. It is a fact of life that should not be concealed. Unfortunately, some women, Muslim and non-Muslim, wear the hijab or abaya, or niqab to hide their identities to practise activities forbidden not only in Islam, but also in all other major religions of the world.
A Muslim's duty is to try to pass on the Message of Islam to others and to endeavour as much as possible to enlightne both Muslims and non-Muslims what Islam is all about. Not to sarcastically tell them "So please do not teach us our religion.
And please do not talk about subject you are ignorant about."
Kibr in Arabic means arrogance. In Islam, a person with even a grain of arrogance in his/her heart will not go to heaven.
As I endeavour to finish my comment, I am sure many who read this would assume me to be Christian. Why? Because my name is Leo. Well, I am Muslim. I was Buddhist before but I accepted Islam several years ago. Hence, I have seen various attitudes of both Muslims and non-Muslims from the cognition of a non-Muslim and a Muslim. Yes, many have told me a change in name is necessary, which is not true.
It dismays me to see certain Muslims possessing arrogant, sarcastic, hostile and intolerant attitudes towards non-Muslims. Nobody likes to be treated with such attitudes. In order to educate another about Islam one has to be tolerant, free from prejudice, sarcasm and arrogance and be understanding and caring.
I myself faced such negative people before I became convinced of Islam. But, thanks be to God, it dawned on me that I should make a distinction between Muslims and Islam. Islam does not change--it remains constant as pure and good. Muslims, as the poeple who 'follow' the teachings of Islam, do so in multifarious ways, some good, some bad and some a mixture of both good and bad. I am not a prefect person. But I made the choice to follow Islam not the people who 'practise' Islam. I make sure to gain knowledge from authoritative publications.
Lastly, the translation Ms. Parveez has provided of the verse An-Nur does not seem to be accurate. I will myself try to do some more research on that to ensure what exactly is the translation that is interpreted as close to being accurate as possible.
Thank you and may God bless the human-kind and guide us all! Amen.
Posted by Leo, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 30 July 2009 at 16:15 UAE time
Ms. Parveez and FA, your replies to the writer 'What was the point?' demonstrates a very arrogant, hostile, sarcastic and intolerant attitude. Islam does not allow for such attitudes. On this forum people write their views, either out of ignorance or knowledge does not matter. The important thing is that through a discussion forum even a person who may not be very well educated about the subject in question will get an opportunity to learn.
There are many Muslims in this world who cannot even read the Holy Quran. And there are many who do not know nor understand the real substance and soul of Islam. Examples abound like the Talibans, Al Qaeda, etc. Also, bear in mind that the message of Islam was not passed on to the Prophet (PBUH) by God in just one day. The Quran was revealed in stages.
Everyone, whether Muslim or non-Muslim have the right to engage in discussions to learn about Islam. Please note that even the Sahaba (followers of Prophet Mohammed, PBUH) were not thouroughly knowledgeable about Islam when they accepted Islam.
The event conducted in Saud Arabia is not something that is spoken of in the Quran, nor is it a part of Islam. It was just an event conducted within a society for their own vested reasons. It was based just on an idea conceived by a mere mortal.
There are varying opinions on the subject of the hijab and abaya even among Muslims, not just non-Muslims. Some Muslim women wear it out of free choice while there are others who wear it because of cultural, societal or family pressures. It is a fact of life that should not be concealed. Unfortunately, some women, Muslim and non-Muslim, wear the hijab or abaya, or niqab to hide their identities to practise activities forbidden not only in Islam, but also in all other major religions of the world.
A Muslim's duty is to try to pass on the Message of Islam to others and to endeavour as much as possible to enlightne both Muslims and non-Muslims what Islam is all about. Not to sarcastically tell them "So please do not teach us our religion.
And please do not talk about subject you are ignorant about."
Kibr in Arabic means arrogance. In Islam, a person with even a grain of arrogance in his/her heart will not go to heaven.
As I endeavour to finish my comment, I am sure many who read this would assume me to be Christian. Why? Because my name is Leo. Well, I am Muslim. I was Buddhist before but I accepted Islam several years ago. Hence, I have seen various attitudes of both Muslims and non-Muslims from the cognition of a non-Muslim and a Muslim. Yes, many have told me a change in name is necessary, which is not true.
It dismays me to see certain Muslims possessing arrogant, sarcastic, hostile and intolerant attitudes towards non-Muslims. Nobody likes to be treated with such attitudes. In order to educate another about Islam one has to be tolerant, free from prejudice, sarcasm and arrogance and be understanding and caring.
I myself faced such negative people before I became convinced of Islam. But, thanks be to God, it dawned on me that I should make a distinction between Muslims and Islam. Islam does not change--it remains constant as pure and good. Muslims, as the poeple who 'follow' the teachings of Islam, do so in multifarious ways, some good, some bad and some a mixture of both good and bad. I am not a prefect person. But I made the choice to follow Islam not the people who 'practise' Islam. I make sure to gain knowledge from authoritative publications.
Lastly, the translation Ms. Parveez has provided of the verse An-Nur does not seem to be accurate. I will myself try to do some more research on that to ensure what exactly is the translation that is interpreted as close to being accurate as possible.
Thank you and may God bless the human-kind and guide us all! Amen.
Don’t take it literally
Posted by Dr. M. Abdurahman, Stockholm, Sweden on Tuesday 28 July 2009 at 13:10 UAE time
I live in Sweden and if our woman had to choose between free education all the way like Saudi Arabia and a driver or a driving license, I guarantee you more than 90% would choose the million dollars free education. Just to enlighten you outside the big cities women drive in Saudi Arabia. I believe woman should drive but no society is perfect Mr. AVH.
About the pageant, there are Religious Scholars (PhD holders) that know morale better than us , and blessed this. If you look deeply all religions reward beautiful morale. With a different name, we have it here in Europe both for men and women and they have it in US (Good Samaritan Award). For women in Saudi Arabia it is called “Queen of Beautiful Morale” not “Queen of Beauty”. Your problem seems to be with the word “Beauty”. It is designed to encourage girls to have beautiful morale.
Thanks
Posted by Dr. M. Abdurahman, Stockholm, Sweden on Tuesday 28 July 2009 at 13:10 UAE time
I live in Sweden and if our woman had to choose between free education all the way like Saudi Arabia and a driver or a driving license, I guarantee you more than 90% would choose the million dollars free education. Just to enlighten you outside the big cities women drive in Saudi Arabia. I believe woman should drive but no society is perfect Mr. AVH.
About the pageant, there are Religious Scholars (PhD holders) that know morale better than us , and blessed this. If you look deeply all religions reward beautiful morale. With a different name, we have it here in Europe both for men and women and they have it in US (Good Samaritan Award). For women in Saudi Arabia it is called “Queen of Beautiful Morale” not “Queen of Beauty”. Your problem seems to be with the word “Beauty”. It is designed to encourage girls to have beautiful morale.
Thanks
Hijab and abaya
Posted by Anosh, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 28 July 2009 at 10:05 UAE time
Hijab is compulsory in Islam for women. In Hijab the women cover her face and head.
Abaya is not compulsory, as it is most likely an Arab tradition or culture. In Abaya the women cover from head to her feet.
But as an Islamic point of view, it is mentioned; the modest women cover their upper part including face, head and lower than head. Quran says, women should wear proper and loose clothes as her feminine parts should not be visible.
Posted by Anosh, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 28 July 2009 at 10:05 UAE time
Hijab is compulsory in Islam for women. In Hijab the women cover her face and head.
Abaya is not compulsory, as it is most likely an Arab tradition or culture. In Abaya the women cover from head to her feet.
But as an Islamic point of view, it is mentioned; the modest women cover their upper part including face, head and lower than head. Quran says, women should wear proper and loose clothes as her feminine parts should not be visible.
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