Women get raw end of beauty contests

VOXPOP 'So what about the fatwa against tobacco which was passed many years ago but which is neither followed nor enforced?'

Muslim women dropped from Miss M'sia World contest

TheSilentMajority: Dear Wafa Johanna De Korte and other dropped Miss Malaysia World 2013 contestants, on behalf of the male gender, I apologise humbly that because some members of my gender cannot keep their mind clear and clean, you all have to forego your dreams and ambitions.

I also feel you should take the organiser to task for discriminating against you. Many of us hope that someday all women shall be treated as human beings with intellect and an ability to make choices of their own rather than possessions to be 'dealt with as we see fit'.

The human race will make the biggest giant step forward when that day comes.

Lim Chong Leong: What if the contestant wishes to participate anyway? Can she take the organiser to court for discrimination? Die if you do, die if you don't.

Where is the individual's free choice? Next thing why not decree that women cannot go to school?

Akutuan: I love to see beautiful face and sexy body but as a Malaysian, we must respect and accept the fact that Muslims do not allow their women to show off their beauty and brain. Anyway, to me my wife is always the most beautiful and sexist woman in the world.

My4Hope: Folks, we may have our point of views on this matter but we need to refrain from crossing the line too far. After all, it's up to Muslims to decide their fate.

I don't think non-Muslims could ever make any impact, as long as their pursuit of happiness does not affect other religions. Be careful when commenting and do not fall into the trap of the extremists.

Mohd Azmin Ishak: According to Islam - and we really want to enforce it - showing flesh is against the religion.

And please do not justify "because other Muslim countries has Muslim contestants, so why not Malaysia?"

Islam is not based on what others do, it is based on what is written in the Quran.

Anonymous_5fb: Religions, any religion for that matter, by nature and to their truest sense, do not impose compulsion on anyone. One may interpret religious teaching differently from another, but they shouldn't impose their interpretation onto others.

Dzulkefly Ahmad: The Federal Territories mufti is only advising the Muslim contestants that what they are doing is against their religion. He did no harm to non-Muslims. Don't give Umno and Perkasa more ammunition to fire at you.

Anonymous_408d: So what about the fatwa against tobacco which was passed many years ago but which is neither followed nor enforced?

Plenty of Muslims men, and some women, openly smoke and they are not forced to follow that fatwa, but the one against beauty contests is strictly enforced.

So does this mean it is okay to enforce some fatwas and ignore others? Who decides on such choices then?

Anonymous_3ee4: There is also a fatwa against buying four digits, Toto, etc, but on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, half the crowd in the gaming outlets are Muslims. So Mr Mufti, what say you?

Onyourtoes: I am sticking out my neck here. I think all beauty contests are an exploitation of womanhood, period.

How do you choose the most beautiful woman? Tell me what do you look for in picking the beautiful woman?

We think we are modern and liberal, but let me tell you this - from the days of chastity belt till now, human society has never changed.

Anonymous #82058542: Islam forbids its female believers from exposing their bodies. I think that is very sound.

I also think beauty contests degrade women. It is also human exploitation of the highest order by greedy businessmen. This is not to say I don't enjoy watching half-naked women. - Malaysiakini