General Chat

on sky news website, she is described on the pictures link as 'English Rose',.....................How wonderfull to see other cultures being accepted and referred to as English..and them accepting this role...I hope she wins.

MUSLIM IS MISS ENGLAND An Uzbekistan-born teenager has become the first ever Muslim to be crowned Miss England. Hammasa Kohistani, 18, said she was delighted to have been selected to represent England in the Miss World championships. She was born in Tashkent, central Uzbekistan, after her parents were forced to flee Afghanistan. The brunette, who speaks six languages including Russian, Persian and French, looked ecstatic as the crown was placed on her head before a cheering crowd in Liverpool's Olympia Theatre. She was selected from a group of 40 entrants following the two-day competition. Dressed in an ivory white chiffon and silk ball gown designed and made by her mother, the teenager spoke of her joy at winning the title. She said: 'When they announced that I had won I thought I had misheard. I hoped they hadn't, but it took a second to sink in.' Asked about her feelings at being the first Muslim Miss England, she said: 'I'm making history and I'm very happy. Hopefully I won't be the last.' The student, who was known as Miss Maya after the Asian fashion house which sponsored her, has also been offered a part in a forthcoming Bollywood movie.

Excellent news. Hope she wins too. CB >|<

And not just a pretty face. She's a talented lady it seems.

Good for her. x

That's a really good thing to happen in England, especially at the moment:)

Good luck to her :o)) jude sarf wales

Great news!!! Hope she wins too Helen

Am I the only one that sees something wrong with this? SHE ISN'T ENGLISH!!! It clearly states she was born outside of the country..... I have no problem with a Muslim winning, I am not being racist at all, but surely she should be ENGLISH by birth to be able to stand for the Miss England title???? She may be a british citizen but..... that doesn't make her English it makes her British.

Quite apart from the racial aspects, the whole concept of a beauty competition is deeply sexist. nell

I agree with Lady Diana of Glencairn. Connie x

I am amazed more people on this thread do not think that Miss World or Miss England is as Nell says 'sexist' I think its well and truly past its time, its a load of old tosh & should be laid to rest like many things that may have been seen as entertainment to our Ancestors but please you cannot tell me that a beauty contest is entertaining lol. I am also disappointed that a clearly intelligent woman would actually enter herself into such competition, she should have gone on one of the many quiz shows, now to me that would have been a little more entertaining. I think you are correct Diana she is British, not English. just a thought is this a 'lets be politically correct vote' because its just so non P.C. Like those votes they used to claim were done on the Eurovision Song Contest :-))) Pat x

It is a very out dated thing, dont you think? but each to their own, as far as her being 'an English Rose' sorry arent english women surpose to have peaches and cream complexions. not being racist just truthful, i am certainly not an 'English Rose' im far too dark skinned!!lol but if she was born outside of england it just doesent make sense to me!!!

Shouldnt have been allowed, she's not English, wasnt born here. Always thought that was one of the conditions of entry. Len

Arguments about sexism apart - and I agree that this kind of competition is outdated - would it make any difference if this years' winner was British-born to foreign-born parents? Her name and complexion would be the same - shame on whoever described her as an 'English Rose' though, as that description is patently inappropriate - and really, she has been chosen as a representative of England. So long as she is a citizen of the country, in these multi-ethnic times, does it matter where she was born. If the rules say that citizenship is the requirement, so be it, surely.

So much for the people who cry out for ethnic 'Minorities' to intregrate into British society. Its ok for them to have to live like the british, but not to join in and represent the country they have.now live in. No one moaned when Katrina and the waves represented GB and won the Eurovision song contest in 1997 Katrina wasnt British, she was American. But then again, I suppose as she was white no one cared less. Elaine x

Correct me if I'm wrong (I don't follow the game) but aren't a few of the England football team foreign-born? Seems strange to me.

Like who Brian ? (not disagreeing, just not heard that before). My views, for what they're worth. Arguements have raged for a long time about the merits of beauty contests, and whether they are degrading to women. The problem is, there are still plenty of women who want to enter, and use their looks as the way to earn a crust. That's their decision. Personally I don't think it's degrading, there's nothing wrong with celebrating beauty. I don't think anyones ethnic background should stop them entering, BUT the description of this entrant as an 'English Rose' is wrong. I do think though that to be eligible you should either have been born here or have English parents, I dont think thats the case for this girl (although I've only heard the news reports so could have that wrong).

How the heck can she be miss England . Doesn't make any difference wether she is black , white or green with red spots she is still not ENGLISH. Cath

My comment on the 'English Rose' description was based on the fact that I have seen a picture of her and she certainly does not have an 'English Rose' complexion. She could have been a 'white' muslim, but she is not. :-)