Nurul Shamsul hopes to break stereotypes in Miss Universe NZ pageant

(On the left) Nurul Shamsul.

PETALING JAYA: Having a Malaysian Muslim woman participate in beauty pageants may set tongues wagging, but Nurul Shamsul aims to use her position in the Top 20 of Miss Universe New Zealand to break stereotypes and boundaries.

Nurul, 20, said she hopes to showcase the positive side of Islam and to show the true meaning of beauty.

She said that much of the world is exposed to the Western standards of beauty, but she hopes to break that stereotype and redefine the meaning of beauty.

"I want the definition of beauty to be more inclusive, no matter the person's size or skin colour," Nurul told The Star's Malay language portal mStar.

Being a Muslim in a beauty pageant, Nurul said that she is often asked if she has to wear a bikini.

"The answer is no. The (New Zealand) pageant abolished the swimwear category five years ago, so I do not have to wear any swimwear," she said.

New Zealand ditched the swimwear category in 2012 to make the competition more modern and inclusive.

Nurul said she is aware that Muslim women in Malaysia are not allowed to participate in beauty pageants because of the swimwear category.

"Miss Universe New Zealand is very different, I am allowed to wear whatever clothes I want during the filming session," she said.

Nurul, who was born in Ampang and moved to New Zealand when she was five, said she was deeply touched by the Miss Universe New Zealand contest organiser's approach to Muslim participants.

"In countries like New Zealand, we accept diversity. Due to cultural diversity, I have never encountered any problems, disturbances or difficulties while wearing the hijab," she said.

"Wearing the hijab does not hinder me from joining this competition," said Nurul, who is a student at Waikato University.

During the recent pageant retreat to Bangkok, Thailand, Nurul said the organiser ensured that she had halal food.

"I am deeply moved by how accommodating they were," she said.

Nurul said she even brought a baju kebaya with her during her retreat to Bangkok.

"I wore it during the dinner function. I like the design. It shows my feminine side with the flower pattern and colour," she said.

In the final stage of the competition, Nurul said she hopes to dress in a baju kebaya so that she can show off Malaysia's culture to the rest of the world.

"I'm in the Top 20. There will be someone that will dress me for the finals. But if I can wear a baju kebaya, I will certainly not let that opportunity pass," she said.

Nurul said she is optimistic and looking forward to the experience being in the finals of a beauty pageant.

"Here I am in the Top 20, the first-ever hijabi contestant and the first Malay woman to contest in Miss Universe New Zealand," she said.

"Alhamdulillah, most people's reaction has been very positive. Everyone has given me support. I am very grateful and happy," said Nurul.

In Malaysia, Muslim women are prohibited from contesting in beauty pageants as it has been declared "haram" and "sinful".

A fatwa had been gazetted on Feb 8, 1996, under the Administration of Islamic Laws (Federal Territories) Act 1993, banning Muslims from joining, organising, or contributing in any way to beauty pageants.

Four Muslim contestants were forced to drop out of the Miss Malaysia World 2013 contest after they were deemed to have insulted Islam

Pageant organisers are starting to follow in New Zealand's footsteps by scrapping the swimsuit section in beauty pageants.

Last year, a Miss Universe Great Britain contestant refused to wear a bikini in the swimwear section of the competition.

On Tuesday (June 5), Miss Universe America announced that they are scrapping the swimsuit and evening gown section of the competition. It will be replaced with "a live interactive session with the judges" in which a contestant "will highlight her achievements and goals in life".