- Title: MOROCCO: Beauty pageant produces the first Miss Morocco
- Date: 9th February 2012
- Summary: MAZAGAN, EL JADIDA PROVINCE, MOROCCO (FEBRUARY 4, 2012) (REUTERS) FINALISTS ON STAGE WITH THE TWO HOSTS, SANAA ZAIM AND NABIL ARABI FINALISTS SARA MOATAMID AND RITA RHAZZOU ON STAGE SARA MOATAMID REACTING AT THE MOMENT SHE WAS ANNOUNCED WINNER FIRST RUNNER-UP RITA RHAZZOU HUGGING MOATAMID AND CONGRATULATING HER COMPETITION LOGO MOATAMID BEING CROWNED BY MOROCCAN SINGER, ASMAA LAMNAOUER
- Embargoed: 24th February 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Morocco, Morocco
- Country: Morocco
- Topics: Entertainment,Quirky,People,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA1TM0VC6XGS1RU1H235OEXFBTL
- Story Text: For the first time in Morocco, a beauty pageant has been broadcast on national television and found a winner who will go forward to the Miss World competition.
Sara Moatamid, a 19-year-old student from Casablanca, was crowned Miss Morocco, 2012.
In previous years, Miss Morocco was selected in a less public fashion, to avoid inflaming religious or moral sensibilities.
The event lasted nearly three hours and at times was more of a fashion show than a beauty contest.
Fifteen finalists selected after two months of countrywide qualifying rounds paraded for the judges in the traditional Moroccan kaftan that covers the whole body. The traditional criteria of height, weight, waist and bust measurements were discarded by the organisers. Instead, contestants had to have a university degree, speak more than one language and be single.
The finalists were asked simple questions by the two ceremony hosts and performed individual and group dances before the public had the final say in choosing the winner.
Moatamid will now represent Morocco in the next Miss World and carry out charity work over the next year.
For Moatamid, the title was more than just skin deep.
"It is true that it is not only a title. It is rather a responsibility towards Moroccan women and Moroccans in general. I have to represent truly the Moroccan woman, be it modern or traditional and its values. I hope to be up this task and be a good ambassador while accomplishing my mission".
Runner-up Rita Rhazzou said before the contest "All the candidates have confidence in themselves and could do a lot for their country. They all want the best for Morocco".
With no bikinis or swim suits allowed, the pageant was also golden opportunity for some fashion designers to show their latest creations to a wider audience.
Nissrine El Yahi was one of the designers asked to dress the contestants.
"In all countries, there is a similar competition and the objective of this one is that Miss Morocco could represent her country abroad. This means that this person should have a high level of education and speak at least two or three languages. I am proud to be associated with this event because it is a first and also because these girls will have a lot of courage and will have to talk about our country to make it better known."
Many of the contestants came from conservative families and were accompanied by their parents, allowed to compete in the pageant, whose slogan was "traditionally modern", only because they would not be required to disrobe.
Fatiha Souidi from Oujda in eastern Morocco told Reuters:
"It is known that the election for this kind of competition obeys a set of criteria in every country. In Morocco, these criteria are not the same as elsewhere. Here, the most important criterion is respect and this is the reason why our families allowed us to take part in this competition. As you saw, the contestants are wearing Moroccan dress and everything is respectful."
Organisers also saw the event as a means of promoting Morocco.
Soumia Chraibi, head of communication at Mazagan Beach Resort where the beauty contest took place told Reuters:
"This event is very important, because the winner will portray the image of Morocco and the image of the Moroccan women. For me, being a partner in organising an event such as this one allows me to promote this destination and also to promote the image of Morocco". - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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