Daily Times

The 20 year old British Muslim, Maria Mahmood, has made it through to the semi-finals of Miss England Beauty Pageant. Maria is the first Muslim woman to participate in Miss England while donning a hijab. If she is successful in winning the contest, she wishes to compete in Miss World.

Maria desires to challenge the stereotypes faced by Muslims and to stand for diversity and multi-multiculturalism.

Maria told The Mirror, “Muslims are associated with negative things like terrorism. I’m determined to do my bit to challenge those views. It’s pretty rare for a Muslim woman to be in a beauty pageant but there’s nothing to stop us entering. I entered Miss Birmingham and the organisers were delighted to have a hijab-wearing Muslim in the competition. They fast-tracked me through to the final where I competed against 30 girls and came second. I couldn’t believe it”

Maria says that even though her family and friends are supportive of her, she expects criticism from some narrow-minded people and she is ready to deal with it.

Maria stays headstrong and says that she will not disobey her morals and beliefs by walking on stage in a bikini; she will simply wear a ‘burkini’ (modest swim suit)

Previously, a Muslim girl has been crowned Miss England but no participant has ever worn a hijab.