Miss Afghanistan May Face Afghan Charges

Newsday ^ | November 8, 2003 | JONATHAN FOWLER - AP

[yonif]

KABUL, Afghanistan -- A 23-year-old woman who is the first Afghan in three decades to take part in a beauty pageant could face prosecution if she returns to her native country, a senior justice official said Saturday.

Fazel Ahmad Manawi, deputy head of Afghanistan's Supreme Court, told The Associated Press that Vida Samadzai, a college student in California, had betrayed Afghan culture by appearing at the Miss Earth contest in a bikini -- and may have also broken the law.

"I hope that this lady regrets her actions," Mamawi said. He added that Afghan prosecutors may open an investigation, but refused to say what charges or penalties Samadzai could face.

Regardless of any legal action, Samadzai's parading down a catwalk in a red bikini during the contest's qualification last month was a radical departure from the traditional image of Afghan women.

[Clintonfatigued]

That's a terriffic question. Why don't more people ask it?

[Squantos]

I say we stone her with sumpthin hard !.......Stay Safe !

[wardaddy]

lol...you are so wicked.

[Squantos]

Even I know "Burka" does not translate to "Bikini" in english !..........(thank goodness)

Stay Safe !