Can't women be portrayed as both beautiful and smart, wonders Dena Rashed as she yawns through the crowning of Miss Egypt 2004 In what has become an annual tradition, long-legged Egyptian girls strutted across the stage in swimsuits, oblivious to the harsh criticism of the Miss Egypt Beauty Pageant by the more conservative elements of society. Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood representative in Parliament, argued that the contest is not only immoral but insensitive in its timing, taking place as Arabs in Palestine and Iraq are being killed. "It should be cancelled," he said. But it was not, and took place last Monday at the Media Production City in Sixth of October city. However, a mere 16 girls competed and the affair was not aired on the national channels, but rather on Dream TV, a privately owned channel. This year's national beauty pageant was also organised by a private entertainment and modelling agency, and entitled "Pantene Miss Egypt" since it was sponsored by Pantene (hair products brand), and accordingly was heavily commercialised. The women on stage were apparently oblivious to the moral and commercial dilemmas centred around their scantily clad bodies. "If I weren't beautiful, I wouldn't have participated in this contest in the first place," Heba El-Sissy, said in answer to a judge's question as to whether she thinks she is attractive. "I know that physical appearance is a very important element of judgement," she added knowingly. In fact, physical appearance seemed to be the only criteria used to judge this year's Miss Egypt contenders. No information was given to explain what these women do when not undergoing the rigorous training for beauty pageants. And while proceedings on stage went smoothly under the direction of hosts Karim Kojack and Dalia El-Beheiry -- with Egyptian singer Sherine and Syrian singer Samo Zein entertaining the crowd -- the auditorium was in chaos. "I'm enjoying the show but I can't stand the attitude of the audience," said Jacquelyn Nader, who was in attendance. "People are walking around and talking during the show." For the queen to be crowned, the girls went through four elimination stages, scrutinised by 13 judges. The judges included beauticians, actor Ahmed El-Sakka, actress Rania Youssef, the former Miss Universe 2002 Justine Pasek, film critic Tarek El- Shenawi, Miss Egypt 2001 Sarah Shain, the ambassador of Ecuador, Christian Dior's Middle East representative, and Pantene's Middle East representative. The 10 semi-finalists were chosen on the grounds of their appearance, posture and the confidence they showed on stage. Their credentials paraded about in matching black dresses, followed by flashy swimsuits and then glittery evening gowns. At the semi-final stage, the process grew tougher, as the contestants had to prove their ability to speak coherently. "When have you had to lie?" Amina Shelbaia, a beautician, asked one of the semi- finalists. "I hate lying and I would never lie under any circumstances," answered Seba Hassan confidently. "Would you be rather Miss Universe or the queen of your home and your husband's heart?" El-Sakka asked Samah Adel, another contestant. After hesitating for a minute, Adel chose domesticity, her answer meeting with the crowd's loud approval. Contestant Dina Ismail explained to Al-Ahram Weekly after the event that she is "not good in Arabic. I have lived abroad all my life and that is why I sounded like a retard when I started answering." Although Hani El-Beheiry, the designer of all the contestants' evening gowns was satisfied with the physical appearance of the girls, he had a less positive opinion of their intellect. "Their body standards are similar to modelling standards, so the dresses looked good on them," said El-Beheiry, "however, it was clear upon exploring their intellectual side that it was not high on their list of priorities," he added, noting that the questions had been greatly simplified for the contestants. As the competition was coming to an end, the five finalists became visibly nervous on stage. Among them were two sisters, a model and a young actress. The winner of this year's crown was the model, Heba El-Sissy, who is featured in several music video-clips. And for the first time in a Miss Egypt competition, the two sisters placed in the contest, Dina and Samah Adel coming up as the second and the first runners-up. El-Sissy will represent the country in the 2004 Miss Universe Pageant in Ecuador, while the runner-ups will participate in other beauty pageants. The winner will also be responsible for raising funds for the Disabled Children's Orphanage. El-Sissy also won a one week trip to Paris, a Nile cruise for four days, an LE10,000 necklace and beauty products. The two finalists who did not place had difficulty accepting their defeat. "I can't comment," choked Seba Hassan. As for the young actress, Yasmine Gamal, she was in disbelief that she had not easily won the pageant. "I am okay though. I am still Yasmine Gamal, I just wish the judge's decision would have been better than that," she said.
