Company asked to remove beauty contest posters after public protest

DUBAI — Emiratis have objected to posters put up across Sharjah announcing the launch of the Miss Emirates Beauty Contest 2007 and inviting applications for it.

Afkar Ali Ahmed

Published: Wed 11 Oct 2006, 9:24 AM

Last updated: Tue 14 Nov 2023, 2:10 PM

In response to the strong public reaction against these ads, the Sharjah Municipality has ordered the Dubai-based company organising the event to remove all the posters immediately.

Ads for the event invited young Emirati and expatriate women to take part in the contest. These show two mobile phone numbers and an email address, but do not mention the names of the organisers.

These ads have drawn the ire of UAE nationals in Sharjah who believe that such a competition is against the country's traditions, Islamic teachings and the emirate's culture and heritage. Several people directed their anger towards the Sharjah Municipality which has allowed such ads to be displayed in the city in the first place.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, a number of Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) members voiced their concern about the foreign cultural invasion. “It is socially unacceptable and against our customs and traditions,” said an SCC member, urging the authorities to ban advertisements of this kind in the media and discourage similar contests in the future.

Ahmed Khalfan Al Suwaidi, former chairman of the SCC, said: “This practice is new to the UAE society in general and Sharjah in particular.” He demanded immediate investigation into the issue.

Hassan Al Hamadi, member of SCC, also criticised such posters being put up in Sharjah during the holy month of Ramadan. “Women in the emirates maintain their modesty in the way they dress and behave, and would never participate in this crime,” he added.

Hessa Al Midfa of Sharjah warned: “It can end up destroying society and distorting its values.” She demanded stringent regulations against such events.

Fatima Al Mughani believes that such a contest is an indecent method of making money. "These kinds of businesses should immediately be banned," she said.

An official at a printing press in Sharjah said that any ads, brochures or posters should be first cleared by the civic body and the economic department. The official stressed that obtaining a permission is not the printing Press' job, it is the responsibility of the owner of the material.

An official of the Sharjah Economic Department said that all promotional ads and posters should first be approved by the department and permission is given only after the advertising company meets all conditions set by the government.

He added that the ignorance on part of some companies regarding these rules lead them to commit such mistakes. The department, he stressed, imposes fines on establishments violating these regulations.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Abdullah Al Amri, Director-General of Sharjah's civic body, said the municipality is keen to combat any practices that affect the society. "This kind of advertising is socially unacceptable and is against our norms and religion."

When contacted, an official from the company said that participants must be between 18 and 28 years of age, should have university diplomas and a sufficient level of cultural knowledge.

The company is specialised in dress designing and exhibition and event organising. He stressed that despite all the obstacles facing the contest, "it will take place next month".