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Miss Afghanistan Conflicted About Bikini
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A 23-year-old Afghan woman denounced by her countryâs Supreme Court for wearing a bikini during a beauty pageant said she felt uncomfortable in the skimpy attire, but did it to call attention to the plight of women in her homeland.Vida, I saw no conflict at all. Honest! Vida Samadzai paraded down a catwalk in a red bikini in the Philippines two weeks ago as part of the Miss Earth contest. ``I know that ... itâs caused a lot of controversy and I didnât feel comfortable wearing it ... because itâs not just my culture,ââ she said in an interview with Associated Press Television News. There are lots of things you do at Cal State that donât fit in Afghan culture. Like, oh, about everything. But wearing the two-piece bathing suit was necessary to qualify for the contest, said Samadzai, who studies at California State University. We forgive you, really we do! Tell her, guys, hurry! At a meeting of the Afghan Supreme Court in Kabul last week, judges condemned Samadzaiâs appearance, which is a radical departure from the traditional image of Afghan women - many of whom still wear all-covering burqa robes despite the fall of the hardline Taliban regime nearly two years ago. ``Women who show their bodies without clothes in front of people are completely against Shariah (Islamic) law, against Islam and against the culture of the Afghan people,ââ the court said, according to a state TV report in Kabul. I knew there was something I liked about it! The court said it made the statement after repeated media inquiries about her appearance. Samadzaiâs participation in the contest hasnât been publicized in Afghanistan, where most of the impoverished population lacks access to outside media. We could fix that. Get one of those "Commander Solo" planes beaming the pictures to those new satellite dishes in Kabul. That would unwind a few turbans. She said she was ``appointedââ as a contestant by people aware of her work as a volunteer fund-raiser for womenâs rights causes. She said it doesnât matter if she wins or lose when the pageant judges rule Sunday. The pageant, she said, gives her recognition that will help in raising money and support for Afghanistan. ``It gives me a chance to speak up and send my voice out there and let people know that the Afghans are in great need of help,ââ she said. Samadzai left Afghanistan in 1996 to study in the United States. She plans to finish a bachelorâs and a masterâs degree in international business and speech at California State University, Fullerton. She then plans to help produce, direct and act in a movie about the Porkyâs VI: Under the Burka! However, helping fellow Afghans remains her main goal. ``Whether I mention it or not, itâs on my mind, itâs in my blood. My whole goal is to just go back there and help them,ââ she said. Take the bathing suit with you, and insist on your right to wear it. Posted by: Steve White 2003-11-07 |
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