Muslims Angered by Miss Palestine Beauty Pageant
JERUSALEM — Muslim religious leaders are demanding the cancellation of the first Miss Palestine beauty contest in Arab East Jerusalem, Palestinians said Sunday.
During sermons at Friday prayers, preachers at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest shrines, and other mosques in the Israeli-occupied West Bank denounced the planned event as alien to Arab tradition and Muslim culture.
Hatem Abdel Kader, whose A-Bir magazine advertised the beauty and heritage contest, said at least 20 women have entered the Sept. 10 event but added that it is likely to be postponed or canceled.
“We have received many calls from readers criticizing the contest, saying the situation of Palestinians under occupation and in the refugee camps in Lebanon does not allow such pleasures,” he said.
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