A Muslim beauty queen is set to become the first Miss England contestant to compete wearing a hijab and wants to represent the nation in Miss World.
Maria Mahmood, 20, came runner-up in the Miss Birmingham heat and has made it through to the semi-finals of the national competition.
The cabbie's daughter will become the first hijab-wearing Muslim to compete in Miss England, according to the Mirror which published her photos.
As for the swimwear round, Maria will be wearing a burkini.
Maria, from Birmingham, says she is supported by her friends, family and the wider Muslim community but expects some backlash from “old-timers”.
She is a psychology student and wants to be a social worker and secured a place in the semi-final after finishing runner-up in last week’s Miss Birmingham.
Maria stated that she participated in this contest because Muslims are associated with negative things like terrorism, and she is determined 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,” she added.
Maria told Mirror that when she entered Miss Birmingham, the organizers were delighted to have a hijab-wearing Muslim in the competition.
“There have been a few negative comments and I’m fully expecting some criticism from old-timers and conservatives. But what I’m doing is empowering for Muslim women. I’m anticipating most people will back me,” Maria concluded.
