konknaijagirl | On 20, Sep 2013

Established by the World Muslimah Foundation (WMF) in 2011, the World Muslimah beauty pageant is exclusively for Muslim women and is aimed at strengthening self-development in Muslim women.

The unique beauty pageant saw contestants wearing headscarves (hijab) while they cat walked clad head to foot in colourful burqa-styled gowns.

A total 20 contestants from Indonesia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Iran participated in the pageant that was broadcast live from Jakarta. The contestants were evaluated on their knowledge of Quran, life skills and fashion.

‘We’re just trying to show the world that Islam is beautiful. We are free and the hijab (Muslim headscarf) is our pride,’ said Ajibola.

The city of Jakarta has been witnessing protests against the Miss World pageant ever since Indonesia was declared the host country of the pageant for 2013. Protesters have been shouting slogans with banners and placards that read: “Reject Miss World” and “Miss World Go To Hell.” The protests eventually confined the pageant to Bali, the only Hindu-dominated province in the world’s most populous Muslim country, Indonesia.

More Photos