FLASHBACK: In 2013, Nigerian won Muslim pageant rivaling Miss World

https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/flashback-in-2013-nigerian-won-muslim-pageant-rivaling-miss-world/

The Cable

Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola, a Nigerian beauty queen, was crowned winner of Miss Muslimah World, an Islamic pageant, in Jarkata, Indonesia on September 18, 2013.

The contest was organised by the World Muslimah Foundation in direct response to the reactions and protests that trailed the mainstream Miss World competition that took place in Bali, Indonesia on September 28, 2013.

The Indonesian pageant saw the then 21-year-old Nigerian and her rivals judged not only for beauty but their ability to recite verses from the Quran and their knowledge of modern-day Islam.

Over 500 women who competed for the crown had answered a round of online questions about their relationship with Islam, including when they first began wearing the headscarf which was a requirement for the beauty pageant.

Muslimah World saw 20 finalists from six countries — including Nigeria, Brunei, Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia — compete in a contest that was tagged a “non-violent” answer to the Miss World pageant rallied against by Islamic hardliners.

Organisers of the event had disclosed that they wanted to show Muslim women that there is an alternative to the idea of beauty being put forward by those overseeing the Miss World pageant.

Now in its 12th year, the annual Muslim event is held exclusively for Muslim women. The pageant also does not accept selection tests, such as the “bikini contest.”