Miss Bahrain, Miss Arab World 2007 and Stereotypes
Written by Haitham Sabbah on 30. September 2007, 2349hrs // Part of Haitham Sabbah's adventure in Algeria, Arab, Bahrain, Egypt, Good News, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Middle East, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia // Other posts by Haitham Sabbah
I admit I have missed the news when it was announced end of last July, but better late than never.
Honored to be Bahraini by soul for living in Bahrain for the last four years, I am very happy to know that Wafaa Ganahi, a 23-year-old teacher from the Law Faculty of Bahrain University, won the title, while the first runner-up was Miss Egypt Shaimaa Mansour and Miss Lebanon Rula Bahij, 23, was the second runner-up. Out of seventeen women from 15 countries attended the final competition.
On the other hand, what does this contest and these photos tells us other than the general perceptions about such events? Well, for me they mean a lot.
First, let me congratulate Miss Arab World, Miss Bahrain. She deserved it, and this leads me to my first note. As you can see from the attached photos, Miss Bahrain is a veiled lady, which leads to the conclusion that Miss Arab World - as well miss world - does not need to be unveiled to win a beauty contest. At least in beauty standards if you agree with me that veil does not hide beauty. I know that bikini show in such beauty contests is suppose to be a standard event, which probably every male in this universe are looking for 
but Miss Arab World, and Miss Bahrain broke this rule - if I may consider it as a rule - and won for her beauty, real beauty. Not only that, but she also received official tribute which reflects how open Bahrain is.
Second, I’m not surprised to see some unveiled beauties from the last place one can expect, such as Saudi Arabia. The girl is gorgeous, but I bet that she is on the ‘top wanted list’ by Saudi religious men now, not for anything related to terrorism, no, but for her unveiled beauty and daring to show up. In my terms, Miss Saudi Arabia won Miss Arab World for her braveness to participate with all what we know about how she was perceived in her home country. Most probably she lives outside Saudi and her dreams to visit her homeland vanished forever.
Third, I’m really surprised and happy to see beauties from other conservative Arab countries such as Miss Yemen and Miss Sudan. They are setting new standards along with Miss Saudi Arabia and breaking all the stereotypes that we hear day and night by the Western media. Yes, behind the Hijab’s, Niqab’s and Burqa’s we have very pretty ladies and we are not ashamed of showing them, in a modest way. A new generation will always fight the taboos for better life.
Last but not least, as a Palestinian, I’m proud to see Miss Palestine participating in this event despite all what Palestinians and the occupied lands are going through day and night by the Israeli terrorist occupation. Unlike Miss Israel, just imagine how many crosscheck she had to pass to reach an Israeli occupied port to be able to travel to Cairo for the event. Even if she lives in Israel, her journey will be under the same rules that govern the travel all Arab and Palestinian from Israel (more humiliating example).
Alright, enough blah blah… back to business, here are some photos I gathered from different sources around the web. In no particular order, take a look at Miss Bahrain, Miss Libya, Miss Saudi Arabia, Miss Lebanon, Miss Tunisia, Miss Egypt, Miss Morocco, Miss Kuwait, Miss Iraq, Miss Jordan, Miss Syria and Miss Algeria.
(Click thumbnail to enlarge)
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October 1st, 2007 at 2:58 am
[...] House Miss Bahrain, Miss Arab World 2007 and Stereotypes » This Summary is from an article posted at Sabbah’s Blog on Sunday, September 30, 2007 [ [...]
October 1st, 2007 at 12:04 pm
a lot of suprises there. thanks
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:49 am
[...] blogger Haitham Sabbah highlights aspects from Miss Arab World 2007. Despite being veiled, Ms Bahrain clinched the title. Share [...]
October 2nd, 2007 at 5:06 am
[...] Miss Bahrain, Miss Arab World 2007 and Stereotypes Egypt, Miss Morocco, Miss Kuwait, Miss Iraq, Miss Jordan, Miss Syria and Miss Algeria. (Click [...]
October 2nd, 2007 at 7:31 pm
EGYPT IS THE BEST!!!
WOHOOOO LETS GOOOO EGYPT!! WE ALL LOVEEEEEE UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:47 pm
I would pound Miss Iraq’s fallujah, if you know what i mean.
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:12 pm
[...] every post can be oh-so-serious. Here’s a link to a report on the Miss Arab World 2007 competition, won by Miss Bahrain, who was veiled. Might disturb some stereotypes. Stumble [...]
October 5th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Ms. Palestine is quite lovely, as is Ms. Saudi Arabia. No Ms. Israeli-Arab? And why is Ms. Morocco veiled? Interesting Ms. Saudi Arabia is unveiled, good for her but that’s risky!
Let the girls be modest if they want, but it’s bad when society/religious authorities require the veil, hijab, burkah, etc. That’s misogynistic.
October 8th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
[...] المدوّن الفلسطيني هيثم صبّاح [انكليزي] يسطي الأضواء على ملكة جمال العرب سبعة وألفين. فرغم كون الملكة محجّبة, لم ينمع ذلك ملكة البحرين من تشبّثها باللقب. [...]
October 10th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Wow, the women have courage..! I hope they will not be punished or something for showing themselves.. They are all sooooo beautiful, why is the veil required? Dont the men want to see all this beauty?
October 10th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
all of these girls are beautiful and miss bahrain is but this assisment had not based on miss world conditions all of these are fat and short plus face ratio if u really want miss arabian we have to be with miss world conditions
October 14th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
But dont you think that the courage of the women is more important than miss world standards..?
October 14th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
You are definitely right, Martina!
October 15th, 2007 at 1:08 am
martina
Obviously you have not visited some Arab countries, if you visit some Pools in morocco (by the beach ) you ll some moroccan beauties wearing the latests Bikinis in fashion . You ll see some beauties in Beirut or Amman or Algiers or Cairo , or Even Damascus .you wont believe how the girls in Dubai are trendy ! those images of burqas are mainly in Saudi and Afghanistan , even Iranian girls are following fashion very closely .
October 15th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Fatima,
It is great! Really glad to hear that! See i totally didnt know, i have never been anywhere near those countries you talked about, except for Tunis, but I was in Monastir, a center of tousism, so i couldnt judge from there much..
May i ask where are you from? Do you have some experience with wearing burqa? What do you think about the Miss contest? Thanks!
October 16th, 2007 at 2:59 am
martina
No i have never covered up , im in my 40s , from Algeria but lived in Morocco 12 of my best Years .it is up to me , i will want to cover up when i get older i wont be comfortable in western clothes when i reach the 60s . my own mother was a freedom fighter (against the french ) she was a widow at 21 dad also a freedom fighter . she covered up in her 40s without anyone forcing her. my best friend in casablanca a lawyer with a young trendy fiance decided to wear the veil (face uncovered ) her fiance was suprised but she insisted . she says she now feels more respected , coworkers respect her more, no longer flirt with her and she does not not hear the annoying wolfwhisles as she is stunning . she is regarded as a muslim woman therefore , respected . I like her a lot she is amazing and her veil did not in anyway changed her , she continues to work hard at home and at work .
i have no problem with the Miss contest but somehow i feel it is a waste of time , really . I wish they volunteer their time and effort to help Muslim homeless and orphans in orphanages . im not into star academy and miss context stuff .. not my cup of tea
A friend of ours visited from canada , she did not bring shorts or her bikini but long sleeved clothes and a one piece swim suits she felt silly at most Casablanca Swimming pools she could not believe her eyes, the girls around the DJ were wearing the most beautiful swimwear with golden chains and pearls some had matching slippers too. some were doing belly dancing by the pool too. we had to go and buy her shorts and tee shirts (as i wore shorts to go to the beach ) in morocco you get both the conservatives and the very modern and secular .
did you also know that a large Jewish community lives in Casablanca and that the Advisor to the King of morocco is jewish , his name is Andre azoulay , he was the late king advisor too . I thought ill add this info as your media may not tell you this .
These are a few photos from Lebanon
http://www.lebanesemall.com/nightlife/nightlife-index.php?page=7&iSStart=145&level=0&parentid=2
October 16th, 2007 at 3:38 am
martina
Tunisia is considered one of the most open liberal society in the Arab world , very open very modern and sophisticated , in fact the veil is Forbidden Yes you have heard that correct forbidden. women who want to wear it are often denied college and university and have to go and study in England (same for turkish girls too ) many Muslims in tunisia are disgusted by their government and want to change things and allow freedom of worship as secular rules are going overboard .
3 decades ago when i visited Tunisia , we were invited by a tunisian family. their mother at the time in her 60s went to the bakery on her bike to go and buy bread and no she was not covered up.
October 16th, 2007 at 3:47 am
This is muslim haifa wehbe
http://images.askmen.com/top-99/2006/pictures/haifa-wehbe-pics.jpg
Yusra actress from egypt
http://manager.albawaba.com/img/new_sys/mediabank/17387_mb_file_d57d9.jpg
Nawal zhougby from lebanon
http://www.casafree.com/modules/xcgal/albums/userpics/14917/normal_12211%5B1%5D.jpg
Samira Ben said a moroccan singer who has often packed Concerts for girls and boys
http://www.babnet.net/1/samira-said2007.jpg
the girls you see below in this link are all Arabs , from A to z
http://www.arabiccelebrities.com/picture_gallery.htm
October 16th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Oh, don’t start it Fatima
These are conservative photos for these ladies. You want to see “Muslim” Hifa Wehbe? (I don’t know what Islam has to do with this):
http://sabbah.biz/mt/wp-content/haifa_wawa_01.jpg
http://sabbah.biz/mt/wp-content/haifa_wawa_02.jpg
http://sabbah.biz/mt/wp-content/haifa_wawa_03.jpg
http://sabbah.biz/mt/wp-content/haifa_wawa_04.jpg
http://sabbah.biz/mt/wp-content/haifa_wawa_05.jpg
October 16th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
haitham
I just wanted to give examples of Some Muslim people America does not put on the screen . I remember my first pen pal from the US who asked me how i dressed to go to High school i told him wrangler jeans and platform shoes etc.. and that my high school was beautiful and huge and we did PE and i was the Captain of the volleyball team. he thought i walked bare feet on the sand and sat in my burqa under a tree to learn my lessons . I promise im not kidding .
i wish i could find modern photos on the net of regular people in morocco , or Tunisia , but usually those regular people do not post their photos in the net, but on private albumbs only , they still care about their privacy i do the same . but i have no problem posting my photo with my husband in western clothes just to give an idea that not all muslim and arab women dress in burqa . Usually the only Arab photo available a lot on the net are of famous people and singers et…
October 16th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Haitham
Those are shocking photos of Haifa , she is truly haifa (in North africa haifa means headless )
October 16th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
fatima,
I understand and completely agree with you. In fact, one of my objectives in this blog is to show rest of the world that we are not camel riders
As for Haifa, she is truly ‘haifa’
October 18th, 2007 at 10:06 am
All well and good that you want the rest of the world (and especially the Americans) to see you ladies as “progressive”, and not “camel riders”. But you are doing this by exposing yourselves?? If I was the typical male American looking at the pictures above, my first thought would be: “Now there’s a babe I could hump” - and you call this progress?
Also picture this - some dirty napaak (unclean) American soldier is probably ogling over a picture of one of these Arabian beauties and fantasizing over her. Does this excite you? Is this the honour that you are looking for?
Why the obsession of impressing the Western world anyway? Why not look for respect and honour between the Arabs? Why is there so much nationalism between the Arab states instead of unity? Then the rest of the world would look to the Arabian states for honour instead of the other way round. When I went for Haj I noticed that “White” people got more respect than a non-Arab Muslim. All your priorities are mixed up!
Sorry to be a party-pooper, but this is what I see from the outside (South Africa to be precise).
Oh and another thing - whilst it seems that these beauty pageants are not as big as they were before and they seem to be fizzling out (definately here in South Africa) you guys seem to be getting into this only now - and you call that progress?
October 18th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
you are actually right, firoz… the americans should not try to impose their standards on the rest of the world,… maybe you exaggerated a little, but in principle - i agree with you, the culture of North Africa and West Asia is different than the European or American ones, so why not respect it? It is not less valuable or something, no! It has its own historical roots…. Yeah, we should probalby learn some more about respect…
October 26th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Thank you Haitham for the info, but I did not understand the connection of Ms. Sduan and her presence without Hijab. Unveiled girls is very common in Sudan.
October 26th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Bint Alnuba,
Thanks for enlightening me. With my limited knowledge about Sudan, I thought that the country is conservative to the limit that all females covers their hair. At least this is what I remember I saw in pictures from Sudan.
November 23rd, 2007 at 3:29 am
MISS LIBYA IS BUFFFFF!!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:59 pm
w er bahdalto l 3arab wala wihde 7ilwe
December 12th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
If you guys don’t know Miss Sudan is SMOKING PIPING hot, than I don’t know what to tell you. Even as a white guyI can see that girl is smoking, the questions is, now what was the judges smoking?
December 13th, 2007 at 3:20 am
SYRIANNSSSSS ARE FUCKENN SEXYY BABBBBBYYYY
December 24th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
I agree with Firoz. Fatima was giving an example of Hayfa Wahbe as a modernised ‘Muslim’ but to be quite honest that phrase alone is an oxymoron! Muslim means submitting to God and abiding by His rules, so if you are not abdidng by Allah’s rules, then quite evidently you are not a Muslim! You may be Muslim by name ONLY but that does not actually make you a Muslim. Therefore, you cannot modernise Islam as there are clear guidlines that cannot be changed and will not be changed over the years.
Yes, the Arabs/Muslims (in terms of riding camels etc) have advanced but you do not need to express this through dress code and like Feroz said i think it was very low of your thinking to have pointed that out as an example of modernisation.
P.s. please can you explain to me how on EARTH “banning the veil” makes Tunisia “liberal, open, sophisticated”??? In my opinion its a pathetic country for announcing such stupid laws…sheeesh!! Has your mind been brain washed or what??
P.p.s What’s wrong with americans thinking Muslims cover up? Because, like, DUUH…THAT’S WHAT ISLAM TELLS YOU TO DO! I believe you should use the term “Arab” instead of Muslim if you want to talk about Muslim moderisation, in terms of being more like the west. Please dont confuse the two!
Salaam!
December 25th, 2007 at 12:11 am
Awaz,
Who are you to decide who is Muslim and who is not?
Get a life man… I’m in no mood to enter in a religious war here, but Islam is far from what you describe as abiding by Allah’s rules does not make one automatically a Muslim.
December 27th, 2007 at 12:01 am
A very interesting piece of advice from the famous boxer Muhammed Ali to his daughter (http://www.myiwc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1790)
This is so true, I wish all the readers here can read this and ponder over what this wise man has said.
The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali’s daughters
arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the
story as told by one of his daughters:
When we finally arrived, the chauffer escorted my younger sister,
Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind
the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we
could possibly give in one day.
My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and
said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the
eyes and said, “Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world
is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down
in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep
down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a
beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine,
covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard
to get to them.”
He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far
more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered
too.” Source: Taken from the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali’s
Life Lessons Through His Daughter’s Eyes.
January 24th, 2008 at 1:45 am
i agree with u AWAZ … and u h need to get a fuckin life and leave us muslim alone … dont compare hafa to islam cuz she is far from islam and as awaz said if u dont follow the rules u anit muslim. very simple .. unlike u ppl … peace
January 31st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Arabian Beauty is the best Beauty, and all other western girls are scrap.
February 5th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
The interesting foto for me in Miss Saudi. It is interesting how Saudi governmnet introduces the most extrimist Islam and their Miss is half naked.
February 5th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
More points:
I am happy with Miss Arab world. Her beauty is innocent and natural, that’s what makes her attractive. I also agree with Ali Reza and i must add Eastern women are more beautiful than Western ones bcs they are more innocent and their beauty is natural. They dont go through so many stories and they’re pure and decent..:)
February 5th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
micr bilad rdra
February 12th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Shahrzad, how do you know that the Eastern women are more “innocent”? There are many Western women that don’t get up to a quarter of the tricks that the “Eastern” women are doing. Of course they may have learned all that from Western TV, but the point is that you cannot generalise. You think that the Eastern woman who is prancing around half-naked has got pure thoughts in her head? You think she’s pure and innocent?
February 14th, 2008 at 4:04 am
i think the hole thingis a joke
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:07 pm
salut
cava
moi je mapelle jihed et je souis tres tres content de te connetre
est voilà
baye baye
orevoire
February 28th, 2008 at 11:36 am
MISS BAHRAIN RULESSSS……WE’RE THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST!!!!
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
All the arab women who entered the competition are beautiful. I think miss palestine is the most beautiful.
March 8th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
They are all very pretty women MASHALLAH…but I don’t understand why people associate culture with religion… Being an arab is way different then being a muslim… you possibly cant give wahbe’s example as a modernist Muslim becuase pictures like those are far from (ISLAMIC pictures)… Islamic rules and guidelines are there for a reason.. they are there for your own benifit. I completely agree with Firoz, Awaz and Arabia!!All cultures have some bad and good people…we dont have the right to judge the whole community based on what a group of people does, believes, eats, wears, or looks like… THINK!! Salaam!!
March 17th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
After the crowning ceremony, the 4 runner up princesses, ie. Lebanese Abeer Layous, Egyptian Shaimaa Mansour, Tunisian Khadija Mrabet and Libyan Rima Bosiry should not just stand beside their beautiful Queen, Bahraini Wafaa Yakoob for the phototaking.
They should let their Queen to sit on the throne first.
Then all the 4 princesses should knee down together in front of their Queen and kiss Queen Wafaa’s toe to show the high majesty of their Queen.
Queen Wafaa will then give her permission one by one to the princesses (from 1st runner up to 4th runner up) to stand up in order to hug and give their congratulate kiss to Queen Wafaa.
Finally all the 4 pricesses will flanked Queen Wafaa in her court for the phototaking.
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
i am a bahraini and i have a q? shouldin miss bahrain be butiful without makeup?
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
i thing everyone has a opinion about life and they must say it but i think this was just somthing for fun and it is grate people r injoing life…….. just wish there is much more of this to be donje in the arab world wish all women around the wold a good life and have fun but dont forget to pray….. do what u want but in a good maner way………. life is simple and if u r then u will be happy… if not then sorry to be u……. anyways i am a man and it is rabee3 rabia is the pasport name hehehehehe
May 8th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
[...] i bet the lebanon girl is hot There was actually two of them, and they weren’t all that. Miss Bahrain, Miss Arab World 2007 and Stereotypes | Sabbah’s Blog __________________ Elizabeth Swann: There will come a moment when you’ll have the chance to do [...]
May 14th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
You all are crasy.
let’s obay Pakistan and lean, because we have the power.
NOT YOU
listen to us crasy Arab ( i mean today’s Arab )
zinda bad
May 20th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I agree with You MR, Pakistani.
we like today’s Arab Girls.
they are hot and so juicy.
ohh one more thing, they are so easy to spend a night with.
just show them Pakistani Rupee.
ha ha ha, I love it
June 25th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Nawabodin and your ignorant sidekick are pathetic and uneducated. How dare you make that comment. Your Paky girls are just as bad here in the UK so go and get you facts straight you fool!!!