Egypt Islamic groups slam beauty competition

A heated debate has erupted between the government and Islamic gr-oups over the Miss Egypt 2004 pageant, according to the Arabic daily Asharq Al Awsat.

The ceremony was held in the main theatre of the Egyptian Media City outside Cairo on Monday night, despite continued calls by Islamic groups to prevent the event from taking place. A total of 26 girls took part in the pageant.

It was organised by Face-To-Face, a local modelling agency, for the sixth year in a row.

Islamic groups view beauty pageants as contradicting Islamic teachings and values, and believe that such events should not be held in a country, whose population is 95 per cent Muslim.

However, the government feels that when Miss Egypt represents the country in the Miss Universe competition, it would help boost the country's position on the world tourism and beauty map.

The Miss Universe 2004 pageant will be held in the city of Quito in Ecuador next July. Miss Egypt Heba El Sisy will participate in the international pageant, and the government hopes that she will win this year's Miss Universe title.