Lancashire born Shanna Bhukari, could be the first British female to win Miss Universe after receiving the most public votes in last weeks semi-finals.
The fact that she is Muslim has caused a furore of hate mail and death threats amongst many quarters ranging from Muslim groups saying that she is denigrating the name of Islam, white supremacists saying that an Asian cannot represent the UK and even feminist groups who are against beauty pageants all together.
Now, I may not be a great fan of beauty pageants and everything associated with them, however, I am a believer that if you want to parade your body in these pageants for men to score you, then it is your choice. It’s not for me, but it may be for you.
The Muslim response does not really surprise me as I cannot see them condoning scantily dress Muslim girls. However, a British born Muslim has every right to enter a competition and represent her country. To those white supremacists, do they disagree with being treated by an Asian doctor to save their life. Maybe one day soon, their country will be run by an Asian. We never thought a black man would be President of the USA….
I think it is great that an Asian might win Miss Universe for Britain and that an Asian female will be the visual representation for Britain. That’s multiculturalism for you.
Bunty