Muslim model defends Miss Universe contest bid

Shanna Bukhari wants to be the first Muslim to represent the UK in Miss Universe

A model bidding to become the first Muslim to represent the UK in the world final of Miss Universe is being criticised by other Muslims.

Since making it to the Miss Universe contest's UK final, 24-year-old Shanna Bukhari from Manchester said she has been sent racist and abusive messages.

"[I get] comments like, 'you're not a Muslim because you're doing this' and it's like, this competition does not make me a bad Muslim at all."

Shanna was born in Blackburn and she became a full-time model after finishing her degree.

She said it's her dream to be crowned Miss Universe. She believes Muslims in the UK should be allowed to have a Western lifestyle, but has been told she's going against her religion.

Swimwear round

"So it does hurt me to think that people are thinking like that," she said.

One of the main reasons some Muslims are angry is that Shanna would have to appear in swimwear in one round of the competition.

Mohammed Shafiq is from the Ramadhan Foundation, a group that works with young Muslims in the UK - he's against Shanna taking part.

"Islam is very clear that a woman should dress modestly and we do not believe that parading yourself in a bikini is appropriate," he said.

"We are clear that we find what she's doing distasteful. Lots of women find these [competitions] degrading."

He said he accepts the right for Muslim women to wear whatever they choose, but that those living in a Western country should still be respectful of Islam.

"We celebrate individual freedom but to suggest that someone who is opposed to something she's doing needs to move off to another country is quite offensive," he continued.

Shanna said most people do support her, including her family in Pakistan.

But her older sister Sameera admitted some of the abusive comments have worried her.

"Is it going to be bricks and stones next when she's walking out on the street? People thinking, 'Oh look at her, she's a Pakistani and she's entering this competition'."

If Shanna wins the UK final on 1 May, she'll be the first ever Muslim to represent Britain in the grand final in Brazil later this year.

'Really jealous'

"People are attacking me using religion as a tool, but is it really religion?

"Or are you really jealous of a girl coming forward and not allowing anyone to dictate to her?

"There are people out there who want to control women," Shanna said.

Meanwhile other young Muslims have told Newsbeat that being allowed to live a Western lifestyle in the UK is a big issue.

"This is a discussion that goes on all the time," said 27-year-old Rayan Jawad. "She's doing pretty much what any girl would love to do who's been brought up here."

Rumena Begum, 18 said: "It goes against our morals and our religion. But it's her life, she can do whatever she wants really."

The Miss Universe beauty contest was first held in 1952.

The title is held by the Mexican contestant Ximena Navarrete.