Malaysia bans Moslem men from bodybuilding

Malaysia bans Moslem men from bodybuilding

KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia's Sarawak state has banned Moslem
men from participating in bodybuilding contests because they
expose "forbidden" parts of their bodies, news reports said
yesterday.

The state's Islamic department warned the Sarawak Body-
Builders Association that it will take action against any Moslem
men participating in the "Mr. Kuching Festival 1997", scheduled
to be held later yesterday. Kuching is the state capital city.

The department, in a letter to the association, said
"overexposure" by bodybuilders contravenes the Islamic dress
code, which forbids men to show "the part of the body between the
navel and thighs" in public.

The directive comes after several other Malaysian states
banned Moslem women from taking part in beauty contests, after
three contestants were arrested and fined in Selangor state two
months ago for wearing indecent attire, such as swimsuits and
ball gowns.

Women groups had decried the arrest of the female beauty
contestants, arguing that Moslem male bodybuilders posing in
skimpy briefs should also be stopped by Islamic authorities.

An official of the bodybuilding contest said the association
had no choice but to abide by the ruling. Nearly two-thirds of
its participants are usually Moslem men.

Sarawak is the first Malaysian state to ban Moslem men from
bodybuilding contests. Offenders can be fined or jailed up to six
months.