[토픽] 10/19 DEBATE TOPIC] Religious fury alters Miss World in Indonesia

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Religious fury alters Miss World in Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) -- Demeaning, exploitative, degrading. Beauty pageants have been called lots of things.

And it's also the line coming from Islamic hardliners, who are protesting this year's Miss World Contest, which is held in the most populous Muslim nation in the world.

Protesters in Indonesia denounce the contest where women sashay in swimsuits and form-fitting evening wear, calling it insulting to Muslims and triggering threats of violence.

Islamic groups urged the government to shut the contest down. Hardliners burned signs featuring the image of last year's winner Wenxia Yu of China that read "Reject Miss World." They also presented what they deemed as appropriate attire for beauty contestants -- long dresses and full head scarves.

"It's only beauty, beauty and beauty, but also body, body and body, so that's why we consider it as a contest that exploits women physically," said Ismail Yusanto, spokesman of Indonesia's Hizbut Tahrir, a conservative Islamic group.

In an attempt to appease religious concerns, the pageant has scrapped the swimsuit competition and replaced it with less-revealing beachwear attire.

Also, the finals were originally to be held on the outskirts of Jakarta, but angry protestors forced the event to relocate to the Hindu resort island of Bali. Members of the group, Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) tried to travel to Bali by sea from East Java, but were stopped by police.

Hary Tanoesoedibjo, the CEO of MNC Group who organized the pageant locally, disputed the government's decision to move the contest to Bali.

He said no laws have been violated by the pageant and that "everything has been adjusted to the local culture. We all know that, so no bikini."

Even before the three-week contest began on September 8, protesters slammed it as "pornography" and held signs reading: "Miss World is whore contest."

"Our demand is still the same," Yusanto said. "Don't continue this contest."

Miss World's 127 contestants competed in beach fashion, fitness, world fashion, talent and "Beauty with a Purpose" meant to honor charitable work. The top 10 models -- from Ukraine, South Sudan, Brazil, Philippines, France, Cameroon, Cyprus, England, Italy and the United States -- were announced earlier this week.

A winner will be crowned in Bali on Saturday.

Security forces will have 700 police officers for the final event.

There has been criticism of how the Indonesian government handled the Miss World controversy, that it sent a message of capitulation in favor of a vocal minority.

Indonesia is a secular country with moderate Muslims, but "a small extremist fringe has become more vocal in recent years," according to the Jakarta Post. "We are a complex country, so we have to balance domestic concerns with our ability to host international events," said Mari Elka Pangestu, the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister of Indonesia. "But in general, Indonesia is very open."

But not all such women's contests are so vehemently opposed.

A week ago, the World Muslimah 2013 competition was held in Jakarta, to crown a woman who applies "Islamic values in everyday life," which includes the ability to recite from the Quran. Contestants dressed in head scarves and floor-length dresses. Obabiyi Aishah Aijbola from Nigeria was named World Muslimah 2013.

Eka Shanty, founder of World Muslimah says the difference between Miss World and World Muslimah is that the latter is not a pageant.

"This is an international award event to appreciate young and talented Muslim women."

In addition to decrying the Miss World contest, the conservative Islamic group Hizbut Tahrir does not support the World Muslimah competition.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/27/world/asia/miss-world-pageant/

Stormont beauty contest row gets ugly

Published Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Controversy over a beauty contest due to be held at Stormont has led to the withdrawal of one of the MLAs on the judging panel, amid criticism from political rivals over rules branded discriminatory. 

The Miss Ulster event, a heat in the Miss Universe Ireland competition, is planned for Saturday at Parliament Buildings.

But a row has blown up over the contest rules - which state that entrants must be aged 18-24, over 5ft 7ins tall and sized 8-12 - and questions have been raised over Stormont's suitability as a venue.

UUP MLA Jo-Anne Dobson was to be a judge, but on Tuesday withdrew from the event.

"I was not aware that this competition excluded anyone from entry and, had I known this, I would not have agreed to take part," she said.

<Whilst I have no issues with modelling as a career, Parliament Buildings is all about inclusivity. Jo-Anne Dobson, UUP>

Earlier DUP MLA Arlene Foster had likened the beauty contest to "Father Ted's Lovely Girls competition" and criticised the impact of such events on the self-esteem of young women.

"Today my colleague Paula Bradley spoke to an academy of almost 100 young women who are interested in politics in Stormont," the Enterprise minister added.

"She was embarrassed that the discussion was on this event and not on major policy issues. Many of the young women were deeply unhappy about the event structure and the message it was sending out.

"Those MLAs backing this type of event should think again."

Sinn Féin MLA Megan Fearon also claimed the situation was embarrassing.

"The issue of equality for women has still not been achieved and promoting a competition where women compete against each other, only to be judged on their appearance, reinforces the attitude of women as sex objects and second class citizens," she said.

Alliance MLA Anna Lo added: "We should not be encouraging girls and young women to think they are only deemed beautiful if they look a certain way. They are already faced with airbrushed images in magazines and newspapers without this superficial world coming to their doorsteps."

But the organiser Michelle McTernan has defended both the competition and its chosen venue, denying that such events are degrading to women.

"Lots of girls aspire to be models and this type of contest is a safe way for them to dip their toe in the water and learn valuable lessons about themselves and their skills," Ms McTernan told UTV.

"If they want to pursue their dream to model or get involved in the beauty industry, then a contest like this will give them confidence and contacts.

"They are ambassadors for Northern Ireland and are projecting a happy, healthy image of our youth in a confident manner which will inspire others."

<Isn't it much more degrading to women to say they are incapable of making their own choices? No-one has forced the girls to take part in this contest ... Their confidence should be celebrated. Michelle McTernan>

She insisted that the rules adhere to an international standard set by the Miss Universe contest, which the winner would have to comply with to progress in the competition.

"I did not make these these rules. These are the same rules as for other local beauty competitions, such as Miss Northern Ireland," Ms McTernan added.

"I do, however, organize plus size modelling competitions so there are doors and opportunities for girls over size 12 to enter future modelling competitions."

She also pointed to a number of professional women from Northern Ireland, whose backgrounds in modelling have enabled them to progress in their careers - Alison Clarke, Zoe Salmon, Tracey Hall and Gemma Garrett.

"Don't forget, unlike most other professions, women actually earn much more than men in the modelling industry and have the opportunity to control their own careers and destiny - I wouldn't call that degrading," Ms McTernan said.

She also backed Stormont as the venue as a building funded by public money, stating: "There should be space for all to use it in what is ultimately a positive way - this is a positive news story coming out of Stormont for a change."

The event will be the second Miss Ulster competition to be held at Stormont.

It will also act as a showcase for local designers who are taking part, including fashion and design students at Belfast Metropolitan College.

http://www.u.tv/News/Stormont-beauty-contest-row-gets-ugly/fcfdb2cc-2d62-42f8-a0ac-ceac44f14076

Q. Are beauty contests harmful?