Down with (Human) Beauty
Mon, Nov 25, 2002 at 5:05:37 pm PST
As they bury the dead in Nigeria, back in London various British celebrities and high-profile nitwits are falling over each other in the rush to blame the Islamic rioting on the Miss World beauty pageant itself, and urging surrender.
Oscar-winning actress turned parliamentarian Glenda Jackson led calls for the contest due to take place on Dec. 7 to be scrapped. "The best thing to do after such fratricide and blood-letting is to cancel the competition," she said.
Australian feminist Germaine Greer said the prospect of staging the contest in London was horrifying while writer Muriel Gray said: "These girls will be wearing swimwear dripping with blood."
But do not be mistaken, oh infidel! Islam is not opposed to all beauty contests.
The United Arab Emirates has held its first national beauty contest for camels with a prize fond of about $27,000 and various trophies for winners.
"The aim is to mark the respect and love the UAE have for the camel," member of the UAE's National Federal Council Faraj bin Hamouda told the Khaleej Times newspaper.
In a special statement, Mr bin Hamouda stressed that the camel was the best companion of his countrymen during the pre-oil era, and the competition in Abu Dhabi would help to pass that feeling of respect to the younger generation.
(Hat tip: the Viking.)


