Beauty Contest = Glorifying Prostitutes in the guise of art
Tarek Ali
Shah Abdul Hannan
The history of the beauty contest is not clearly known to me. Who,
where and when it started is unknown, but the common belief is that
the beauty contest started some 60-70 years back in the West. Later
some elements started to organize such beauty contests in the East,
particularly in India and Japan. Of the total 60 Muslim countries, a
few hold such contests against the age-old culture, custom, tradition
and value system.
In some countries the government is patronizing such beauty contests
and in others individuals and private organizations arrange such
contests. Never such contests were ever organized in Bangladesh.
Strangely, some people are now trying to organize such beauty contests
against the deep-rooted faith, ethics and norms of the majority people
of our country.
The government of Bangladesh did not allow organizing such functions
in the country and therefore the people who are active to raze the
basic elements of the culture of Bangladesh, a predominantly Muslim
country, in the name of globalization and modernism, organized a
beauty contest in London some time back and selected a girl who later
participated in the world contest. Of late, some people are organizing
beauty contest in Bangladesh in the name and cover of fashion show.
The most pertinent question is: does beauty contest enhance the
prestige and dignity of the womenfolk of our country or is it in any
way related with the development of the country’s economy? In
the beauty contest, the participating women are scantily dressed, are
mostly required to expose their body and beauty before the male judges
walking in the most offensive and distasteful manner. Does it in any
way increase respect of the women? In fact, the uncovered body of
woman brings disgrace for her. Historically all noble ladies even in
the West until now were dressed in the most dignified manner. In fact
such half clothed women become an object of commercial display and
turn into the easy prey of the lust of the males.
The question is: why beauty contest of the woman is being organized
when no beauty contest is planned to select the most beautiful man? In
fact a section of business community organizes beauty contest of the
women to use them for commercial purposes for which women, our sisters
and mothers, are disgraced. The beauty contests excite male members of
the society.
This is true not only in the matter of beauty contest, any obscene,
offensive and vulgar programme involving women is bound to incite male
members. Such programmes are responsible for the moral degeneration of
our youth. The root cause of the increase of the rape, violence and
crime related to women are the spread of obscenity in the society. The
beauty contest therefore in no way increase prestige, honour, dignity,
safety and security of the women rather women lose respect, and their
security is further endangered.
Does the beauty contest in any way contribute to the economic
development? No empirical study or survey has ever established that
beauty contest some way or other has played any constructive or
significant role for the progress and development of any country.
There is no logic behind the claim of some persons that such beauty
contest directly or indirectly contribute in the economic stride and
progress of any society. Beauty contest has in no meaningful way made
any contribution in the increase of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or
the national income. Some good-looking women who won in the beauty
contest later joined the advertisement industry as model. This might
some way financially benefit them personally.
The joining of some pretty women in the commercial and advertisement
industry might have increased the demand of certain product, soap,
paste etc in the market but this increase takes place mostly at the
expense or reduction of sale of some other soaps, paste etc of other
companies. This however does not as a whole increase the GDP. Moreover
products are sold because of the quality, not because of the fair
looking models or due to their physical posture. Some tourists of
foreign countries might come to visit a particular country for a day
or two, but this is very insignificant and does not carry any weight
or credence. Such beauty contest, for sure, has no value in terms of
the economic activity of a country or benefit the tourist industry on
a long term basis..
What is the reaction of the women concerning the beauty contest? In
this regard let us see the article by Hasina Habib, a student of BUET
who in an article published in the daily Inqilab on 2nd April 2002
captioned ‘Beauty Contest Vis A Vis Art’ writes:
"BTV broadcasted a programme of beauty contest on 3rd April. The
commentator during the presentation ceremony of the programme on
several occasions commented that these beautiful ladies are the assets
of the country.
On what consideration these pretty ladies are the assets of the
country? Earning forex by showing and screening beauty cannot be a
prestigious profession or an aesthetic art. On what reckoning then the
participants of beauty contest can be asset, when such contest in
itself is not honourable? The questions that were put forward to the
participants of the contest to ascertain the intelligence and the
capacity for immediate response to quarry were not at all scholarly.
Such questions were asked: To grow up is not an interesting matter,
what do you think? What do you mean by hairstyle? … etc. How
such hollow and meaningless questions can be the reflection of
intelligence and wisdom?
The ultimate objective of the clothing is to cover up the body. Its
aim is also to protect prestige, honour and the dignity of the
individual personality. But in the presentation ceremony of the beauty
contest as broadcast by the BTV the participant women were shown
walking in such skin tight, bare and half naked way as if the purpose
is to attract male members who are viewing.
Such exposure of the body and beauty of the women is nothing but the
wild expression of nakedness and offensive and indeed distasteful
matter. Most of the guests present in the beauty contest had been
male and their expression was objectionable, unpleasant and obnoxious.
The only exception was Endrew Kishore who was seen looking down bowing
head by keeping his palm on the forehead. Rest of the males were
looking and observing this nude art (!) with their lustful eyes.
Does the definition of art or aesthetic beauty has changed into nudity
and obscenity in the so-called modern life? How the exposure of the
body of the women can be a sign of progress of the civilization? Why
should we copy the negative and obscene elements of another culture
leaving their positive elements?
If nudity is considered a sign of progress then women one day will
require becoming totally naked to increase the reserve of foreign
exchange. In other words the loathsome and abhorrent male members will
not spend money unless women expose them by becoming totally naked to
earn money. It seems that in near future all people will become naked
like the animal of jungles to keep pace with the development.
Those who do not have the sense of self-esteem and dignity and do not
mind in becoming naked in front of the male jury and their only
objective is to earn money by exposing their body and beauty, what
name we can give to the profession of such people?
Hasina Habib rightly pointed out that beauty contest which lacks
socio-economic, moral and ethical consideration cannot be an art in
the esthetic sense or an asset for the majority of the people of
Bangladesh who are believers of Islamic ideology and values.
Needless to mention that the so-called beauty contest, which is
against the ideology of Islam and its teachings, is also against the
history, tradition and culture of Bangladesh. It is not in agreement
with the values of other religious faiths. We therefore appeal to all
the businessmen, industrialists and cultural organizers of our country
to take immediate and effective steps to stop the recurrence of
further beauty contests.
Not only beauty contests, we also appeal to business magnets,
industrialists and socio-cultural workers to ensure that nothing is
done in the name of cultural activities which cause moral decadence
and disgrace and humiliate women, our daughters, sisters and mothers.
Our message to the organizers, leaders and members of the women right
groups is that you be active to wipe out the root cause of violence
from the society and the moral degeneration of our youth and events
that are not the demonstration of the uplift of women in the society
rather are the causes of shame and ignominy for the women. We also
appeal to the government to keep watch so that some people working
against our culture and value system cannot organize beauty contest in
the cover and garb of fashion show or any other name. We all must do
everything possible at our command before it exceeds all limits and
before it is too late.
Courtesy : http://www.witness-pioneer.org
Jeffery Bule
it is so offensive for you guys when you receive same and/or equal
opinions about Islam? You Muslims wanna call beauty contest =
prostitution...well SO BE IT ! But people in the western countries do not
see it that way ! My gash ! Do we have to go by everything in this world
according to your islamic standard ? You wanna try to impose islamic
rules/relugations/standards everywhere on the surface of this planet?
Puhhhleasseee...you guys don't like it when us infidels...YES
INFIDELS...have anything to do with your holier-than-thou religion. You
call western influence as an attack to Islam. Well I gotta bad news for
you pal ! You don't like it as much as we don't like you telling us what
to do and say other craps associated with your holistic
religion....huuuuuuuu....yeah holistic....huuuuu...holy holistic
religion......! So my advice to you is, if you don;t like it, beat it!
Can't stand the heat? gettata the kitchen ! Simple as 1-2-3. And save your
jibberish craps to yourkind alike. Thank you and have a nice life!
Tarek Ali
point in the article, but only bashed the messenger. No logical
discourse, but only bad mouthing. That is not nice, is it? Why are you
such an angry man, man? And the newsgroups are open forums, you can
not ask people not to be there. I didn't send it to your personal
mailbox that you should react this way, these are the newsgroups
associated with the Muslim countries. What's your problem brother?
Can't stand the heat? gettata the kitchen ! Simple as 1-2-3. :)
TA
Jeffery Bule <kuc...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<3CEE6951...@yahoo.com>...
Quicky
"Tarek Ali" <tare...@mailandnews.com> wrote in message
news:dd716d19.02052...@posting.google.com...
> SC Beauty Contest: What Good It Brings to Woman?
>
> Shah Abdul Hannan
> The most pertinent question is: does beauty contest enhance the
> prestige and dignity of the womenfolk of our country or is it in any
> way related with the development of the country’s economy? In
> the beauty contest, the participating women are scantily dressed, are
> mostly required to expose their body and beauty before the male judges
> walking in the most offensive and distasteful manner. Does it in any
> way increase respect of the women? In fact, the uncovered body of
> woman brings disgrace for her. Historically all noble ladies even in
> the West until now were dressed in the most dignified manner. In fact
> such half clothed women become an object of commercial display and
> turn into the easy prey of the lust of the males.
Why refers to noble ladies in the West in the middle-age? Why don't you
refer back to the beginning of human kind, Adam & Eve. What did probably Eve
wear according to the Holy Book?
It's each women's choice! Some women like admiration, some need money. You,
and other male, who don't like the display, don't go! So simple.
>
> The question is: why beauty contest of the woman is being organized
> when no beauty contest is planned to select the most beautiful man? In
> fact a section of business community organizes beauty contest of the
> women to use them for commercial purposes for which women, our sisters
> and mothers, are disgraced. The beauty contests excite male members of
> the society.
Probably, the same essence, when you see Playgirl or other male-magazines.
My opinion is, if your government and your general population oppose to this
idea, beauty peagant contest, then IT IS THE CHOICE you & your govt. have
made. However, let other countries and their pop. decide their own "moral"
values.
Let's countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, decide for their own. They are
not Bangladesh.
(Sorry, do not have time to response the rest).
ignoramus
participants of beauty contests to prostitutes.
Within the article, there is this..."The root cause of the increase of
the rape, violence and crime related to women are the spread of
obscenity in the society."
I disagree...rape stems from a lack of respect for women. Besides,
some men rape to dominate and subjugate women. Makes me wonder about
the whole article.....
On 24 May 2002 16:38:53 -0700, tare...@mailandnews.com (Tarek Ali)
wrote:
<snipped>
Curious
> prestige and dignity of the womenfolk of our country or is it in any
> way related with the development of the country’s economy? In
Yes. Fashion, tourism, arts industries all benefit. Beautiful and
healthy looking women inspire other women to keep fit and maintain
good looks.
> the beauty contest, the participating women are scantily dressed, are
> mostly required to expose their body and beauty before the male judges
> walking in the most offensive and distasteful manner.
Offensive, distasteful? You must be a gay.
> such half clothed women become an object of commercial display and
> turn into the easy prey of the lust of the males.
Men have always "lusted" after women. If your father had no sexual
urges, someone else must have fathered you. In the human, animal,
insect worlds, male and female species have always resorted to
displays of power or sexual desirability to ensure the fittest and
best survive.
> The question is: why beauty contest of the woman is being organized
> when no beauty contest is planned to select the most beautiful man?
Body-bilding contests are held everywhere to show-off male power and
physical fitness. In fact, did you not notice that these bodybuilders
do not wear bras? Only women do. So who is exhibiting more?
> members. Such programmes are responsible for the moral degeneration of
> our youth. The root cause of the increase of the rape, violence and
> crime related to women are the spread of obscenity in the society. The
> beauty contest therefore in no way increase prestige, honour, dignity,
> safety and security of the women rather women lose respect, and their
> security is further endangered.
Notice that incest cases in Malaysia are virtually all Malay and
Muslims? So what have Islam promoted with all these ninja-like dress
codes? Disrespect for the wife and sexual abuse of daughters.
> The questions that were put forward to the
> participants of the contest to ascertain the intelligence and the
> capacity for immediate response to quarry were not at all scholarly.
> Such questions were asked: To grow up is not an interesting matter,
> what do you think? What do you mean by hairstyle? … etc. How
> such hollow and meaningless questions can be the reflection of
> intelligence and wisdom?
So you think you are a scholar? If you are unable to comprehend simple
questions which you posed, you are certainly not intelligent or for
that matter educated enough to probe the "mystery of female
modelling".
You're just like a frog croaking in a well and describing the world
when you don't even know it. Perhaps you should step out of a madrasah
and get properly educated to understand what the world is really all
about.
> Hasina Habib rightly pointed out that beauty contest which lacks
> socio-economic, moral and ethical consideration cannot be an art in
> the esthetic sense or an asset for the majority of the people of
> Bangladesh who are believers of Islamic ideology and values.
Islamic ideology is not representative of the whole world. In fact,
islamic values have led to the decadence of mankind. Think.
> Not only beauty contests, we also appeal to business magnets,
> industrialists and socio-cultural workers to ensure that nothing is
> done in the name of cultural activities which cause moral decadence
> and disgrace and humiliate women, our daughters, sisters and mothers.
So the rampant act of muslim men raping their own daughters, or
prophet mohammed being a paedophile is acceptable to you?
If you're worth your salt, I suggest you help revamp the entire koran
to give more equality to women and protection from muslim men. If you
can do that, lets talk more about fashion parades. Otherwise, you're
being a hypocrite by not acknowledging that the "evil" lies in an
outdated koran, and sexist muslim men.
koolfire_ro
> SC Beauty Contest: What Good It Brings to Woman?
>
> Shah Abdul Hannan
what a load of gibberish,looks like you are married to 375 kg female
hippo or sow, and your daughter looks likes ethel, and your son must
look like quasimodo...who the fuck cares what it does or does not,if
you like it, see it,otherwise put a burquah and sleep...learn to live
in todays world,and put these questions to womens forum..what value
systems were there for the women of afghanistan,when they were
whipped,tortured and killed publicly ...under some trumped up
religious edict in islam...out of oppersion came women like
taslima,and sent the bearded jehadis hopping like jackrabbits,when she
questioned the values and hypocrtic views in islam....she was issued
with a fatwa, and price put on her head...this is values.
Sherwan
started when Mohammed died and left behind 40 young women who were his
wives. The oldest of them came up with the idea of opening a whorehouse
that they called it a place to pick the most beautiful Arab whore. The
same idea then was adopted by Turk sultans to entertain their brave men
who were the best in murdering others and taking their land by force.
BernardZ
says...
> The history of beauty contest goes back to Arabia 1400 years ago. It all
> started when Mohammed died and left behind 40 young women who were his
> wives. The oldest of them came up with the idea of opening a whorehouse
> that they called it a place to pick the most beautiful Arab whore. The
> same idea then was adopted by Turk sultans to entertain their brave men
> who were the best in murdering others and taking their land by force.
Its older then that. Look up the bible on the last days of King David. I
doubt that it was the first either.