PETALING JAYA: The four Muslim contestants who were disqualified from the Miss Malaysia World pageant have been subject to media scrutiny after their dropping due to the ruling that states Muslim girls are not allowed to compete in beauty pageants.

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

Miss Wafa Johanna De Korte, 19, one of the participants who was dropped, had publicly protested against her disqualification. She retracted her protest, saying that she will abide by the organiser's decision. She said she was very disappointed that she could not fulfil her ambition, liberal news portal Malaysiakini reported.

"I hold the view that Malays can participate but since there is a fatwa (religious edict) which bars Muslims from participating in it, I have to abide by it," she said.

In a latest update, the four Muslim finalists dropped from the Miss Malaysia World 2013 pageant may be allowed to compete following a review by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi).

Jawi director Datuk Che Mat Ali confirmed an official meeting with Datuk Anna Lim, the organiser of the pageant, yesterday to discuss the possibility of the Muslim girls being allowed to compete.

"I have not made a decision yet, but I will be announcing the decision sometime next week," Che Mat said.

Lim said: “The girls may be recalled to participate in Miss Malaysia World 2013."

However, she said they would have to wait for Che Mat’s announcement before any decision could be made.

"The meeting was fruitful and announcement may be made by early next week," she added.

Lim said this year’s Miss World finals would take place in neighbouring Indonesia.

Muslim contestants in Indonesia are allowed to compete in the pageant but will be wearing sarong instead of bikinis.

Read more:
» The girls behind the Miss Malaysia controversy
» Disqualified finalists may yet compete in Miss Malaysia World pageant

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