Malaysia bans Moslem men from bodybuilding<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia's Sarawak state has banned Moslem
\nmen from participating in bodybuilding contests because they
\nexpose "forbidden" parts of their bodies, news reports said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
The state's Islamic department warned the Sarawak Body-
\nBuilders Association that it will take action against any Moslem
\nmen participating in the "Mr. Kuching Festival 1997", scheduled
\nto be held later yesterday. Kuching is the state capital city.<\/p>\n
The department, in a letter to the association, said
\n"overexposure" by bodybuilders contravenes the Islamic dress
\ncode, which forbids men to show "the part of the body between the
\nnavel and thighs" in public.<\/p>\n
The directive comes after several other Malaysian states
\nbanned Moslem women from taking part in beauty contests, after
\nthree contestants were arrested and fined in Selangor state two
\nmonths ago for wearing indecent attire, such as swimsuits and
\nball gowns.<\/p>\n
Women groups had decried the arrest of the female beauty
\ncontestants, arguing that Moslem male bodybuilders posing in
\nskimpy briefs should also be stopped by Islamic authorities.<\/p>\n
An official of the bodybuilding contest said the association
\nhad no choice but to abide by the ruling. Nearly two-thirds of
\nits participants are usually Moslem men.<\/p>\n
Sarawak is the first Malaysian state to ban Moslem men from
\nbodybuilding contests. Offenders can be fined or jailed up to six
\nmonths.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malaysia-bans-moslem-men-from-bodybuilding-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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