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Shayma Qasim: First Miss Iraq since 1972 threatened by Isis in phone call warning her to ‘join group or be kidnapped’ | Shayma Qasim: First Miss Iraq since 1972 threatened by Isis in phone call warning her to ‘join group or be kidnapped’ |
(1 day later) | |
The first Miss Iraq since 1972 has reportedly received a threatening phone call from Isis - demanding she join their ranks or be kidnapped. | The first Miss Iraq since 1972 has reportedly received a threatening phone call from Isis - demanding she join their ranks or be kidnapped. |
Shaymaa Qasim Abdelrahman, 20, became the first winner of the national beauty pageant in more than 40 years. | Shaymaa Qasim Abdelrahman, 20, became the first winner of the national beauty pageant in more than 40 years. |
But according to the Jerusalem Post, which cited Kuwaiti Daily al-Watan, she received a phone call following her win saying she would be kidnapped if she refused to become a member of the militant group. | But according to the Jerusalem Post, which cited Kuwaiti Daily al-Watan, she received a phone call following her win saying she would be kidnapped if she refused to become a member of the militant group. |
The pageant's organisers said Miss Abdelrahman was distressed but determined to “continue forward despite any obstacles”. | The pageant's organisers said Miss Abdelrahman was distressed but determined to “continue forward despite any obstacles”. |
The beauty queen, from Kirkuk in northern Iraq, told NBC News: “I want to prove that the Iraqi woman has her own existence in society, she has her rights like men. I am afraid of nothing, because I am confident what I am doing is not wrong.” | The beauty queen, from Kirkuk in northern Iraq, told NBC News: “I want to prove that the Iraqi woman has her own existence in society, she has her rights like men. I am afraid of nothing, because I am confident what I am doing is not wrong.” |
The pageant has been fraught with controversy, prompting a backlash from religious hardliners with a number of contestants receiving death threats. | The pageant has been fraught with controversy, prompting a backlash from religious hardliners with a number of contestants receiving death threats. |
A total of 200 contestants were scheduled to take part, but fewer than 10 women participated in the final because of the threats, according to Crave Magazine. | A total of 200 contestants were scheduled to take part, but fewer than 10 women participated in the final because of the threats, according to Crave Magazine. |
Pageant director Ahmed Leith said the pageant was necessary to create a “sense of normalcy”. | Pageant director Ahmed Leith said the pageant was necessary to create a “sense of normalcy”. |
“Iraq needed this,” he said. “The situation is weak here and we wanted to celebrate this the same way other countries like Lebanon and others do. To have a sense of normalcy.” | “Iraq needed this,” he said. “The situation is weak here and we wanted to celebrate this the same way other countries like Lebanon and others do. To have a sense of normalcy.” |
Organisers attempted to adapt aspects of the pageant to keep it in line with the sensibilities of a conservative Muslim country, such as scrapping the swimsuit element of the contest. | Organisers attempted to adapt aspects of the pageant to keep it in line with the sensibilities of a conservative Muslim country, such as scrapping the swimsuit element of the contest. |
However, a ban on hijabs remained in place, in an effort to meet enough international criteria to allow its winner to enter the next Miss Universe pageant. | However, a ban on hijabs remained in place, in an effort to meet enough international criteria to allow its winner to enter the next Miss Universe pageant. |
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