Four Muslim beauty queens were forced to drop out from the finalist round of Miss Malaysia World 2013 pageant because of a fatwa that deems such events a sin.
The decision came by way of Federal Territories mufti Datuk Wan Zahidi Wan Teh, who said beauty pageants were declared haram, or sinful, under the Administration of Islamic Laws Act in February of 1996, Asian News Network reported on Monday.
The four who were forced out ranged in age from 19 to 23.
“The competition will go on as usual, and we are very excited about presenting the best beauty pageant for our non-Muslim finalists,” said beauty pageant organizer Datuk Anna Lim in the report.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.