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.