Jawi want a closer look at Muslim beauty contestants

The four Muslim Miss Malaysia-World finalists are being investigated by The Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) as they are deemed to have insulted Islam.

Jawi director Datuk Che Mat Che Ali said its enforcement unit would look into the matter following a Malay daily’s report that the girls were bent on taking part in the beauty pageant despite an edict by the National Fatwa Council prohibiting it.

“If we find sufficient evidence for further investigation, they will be charged in the Syariah Court,” he said, according to The Star.

Those found guilty can be fined up to RM3,000, jailed up to two years, or both.

Che Mat noted that based on the report in the Malay daily, the participants had expressed their disappointment with the fatwa that was gazetted on Feb 8, 1996, under the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) 1993.

According to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, the fatwa explicitly states that participating, organising or contributing to any sort of beauty contest is haram (not permissible) and a sin for Muslims, the Star reported.

Jamil Khir maintained that there was nothing strange about the action, adding that “the fatwa is for every Muslim to observe.”

The Malay daily had reported yesterday that one of the contestants, Sara Amelia Muhammad Bernard, 20, expressed her disappointment, though she was aware that Muslims were not allowed to enter beauty pageants.

“The organisers informed me that we were allowed to join because we would be wearing sportswear instead of swimming attire,” she reportedly said.

Fellow disqualified contestant Wafa Johanna De Korte, 19, was also disappointed, adding: “I would be honoured to continue vying for the title if I still have the chance.”

Pageant organiser Datuk Anna Lim said that although the girls have been disqualified, they would be allowed to attend the event as guests.