Muslim Miss Universe GB finalist will become the first to wear a Kaftan in the swimsuit contest

Tuesday, 16 May 2017

Muslim Miss Universe GB finalist, Muna Jama, 27, will become the first contestant to wear a kaftan in the swimsuit round of the competition next month, for the chance to represent Great Britain in the Miss Universe 2017 pageant.

Jama was first accepted to the competition two years ago but withdrew because of the swimsuit round, rather than challenge the organisers or compromising her beliefs.

This year, she however decided to re-enter in the hope of raising awareness over the migrant crisis, which she witnessed first hand during a volunteer trip to Egypt and Somalia last year.

The beauty queen, who will be one of the 40 finalists, told organisers that she did not feel comfortable strutting around on stage in a bikini and they agreed to let her appear in a beach cover-up instead.

'These pageants are associated with beauty and modelling but over the years there has been a platform for other females using their platform differently. What I wanted to do was to raise awareness of what I have been working so hard for,' she said.