The second Miss Arab World Contest has taken off in Egypt, with the participation of some 19 contestants. According to the organizing committee at a press conference, the candidates to the contest came from 16 Arab countries, including Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, Iraq, Bahrain,Saudi Arab, Libya and Palestine.
Bahrain and Saudi Arab are first time entering the contest. Wafa Janahi, 23, is a Bahrain University graduate and Ghada Hassan, 19, a girl from Saudi Arabia is studying business in an academy in Egypt
The jury in Miss Arab World consists of fashion, beauty and tourism experts as well as academies and the finalists chosen from more than 10,000 participants who registered through internet.
The final result of the contest is expected to be announced on 27th July, Friday evening.
Miss Arab World 2006
The first Miss Arab World Contest was held in Egypt’s Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh from July 26 to July 29, 2006, with the title of Miss Arab World 2006 going to Nadia Bin Fadla from Tunisia, which was retracted later for her not abiding by competition rules.
Winners of Miss Arab World Contest ( Nadia Bin Fadla in the center)
Controversy
Organisers in Egypt are being sued by a Lebanese entrepreneur, who claims he holds the rights to the Miss Arab World brand. Lebanese businessman Johnny Fadallah told the media that he is taking legal action against the Egyptian organisers, for allegedly poaching the Miss Arab World brand. He claims he holds the international rights and planned to hold the first Miss Arab World contest in Lebanon last December 2006, but got forced to put off in the aftermath of the Israeli onslaught against Lebanon last summer.
Mr Fadallah says,
The Egytpian organisers had seized on the idea and staged the first contest last year, despite not holding the rights.They used the crisis in Lebanon as an opportunity to profiteer out of our inaction
Update :
Bahrain’s Wafa Yaqoop is crowned as Miss Arab World 2007
