We will abide by fatwa, say Miss Malaysia aspirants

Two of the four Miss Malaysia 2013 contestants who were dropped from the contest have denied that they attempted to challenge a fatwa banning them from entering such competitions.

According to Berita Harian, Sara Amelia Muhammad Bernard said her earlier outburst was merely her way of expressing her opinion and should not be regarded as an attempt to challenge the fatwa.

“I do not have an intention to degrade or insult Islam as I am merely giving my personal opinion. If what I say is seen as a challenge, I would like to apologise,” Sara told the daily.

She said she did not know about the edict barring Muslims from taking part in beauty contests and that the organisers had only stated that those professing Islam are not required to wear swimsuits.

Wafa Johanna De Korte, who had also publicly protested her disqualification, said she would abide by the organiser's decision despite being very disappointed that she could not fulfil her ambition.
“I hold the view that Malays can participate , but since there is a fatwa that bars Muslims from participating in it, I have to abide by it,” she said.

Authorities launch probe

The 1996 fatwa states that any form of participation in a beauty pageant is “haram” and “sinful for Muslims”.

The latest report by Berita Harian comes a day after the same daily reported that the four women still insisted on competing in the Miss Malaysia contest.

The article titled Peserta Islam nekad tanding ratu cantik (Muslim participants insist on participating in pageant) did not quote the four explicitly stating their decision.

However, the article prompted the Federal Territories Islamic Department (Jawi) to launch a probe against the four for insulting Islam.

If found guilty by the syariah court, they face a maximum fine of RM3,000, up to two years in jail or both.