Students in Aceh again protest against beauty queen

Banda Aceh, NU Online
Tens of students of Syiah Kuala University in Aceh province again came to the governor`s office on Monday to ask for the revocation of its recommendation for Indonesian beauty queen Qory Sandioriva.

The demonstration of students from the Care Aceh Students (MPI) took place outside the office as they were stopped by security personnel.<>

Antara reported that the students blocked the street in front of the office and threw rotten eggs toward the building.

The students like before had demanded the Aceh government to revoke its recommendation for Qory who is Acehnese to participate in the beauty contest and also the organizing committee to annul its decision to crown Qory as the country`s beauty queen for 2009.

Qory did not wear a headscarf while participating in the contest as Moslem woman wearing a headscarf is a must.

She said she had received blessings and a recommendation from the Aceh government to participate in the contest, even without wearing a headscarf.

Her participation in the contest however has drawn a negative response from Aceh community members who considered her participation hurting the image of Aceh traditions and the shariah.

The students have also demanded an apology from the governor and Qory over the partcipation.

"The governor must promise he would never again issue a recommendation for Acehnese to participate in such national or international events," protest coordinator Mujiburrhaman said.

The governor did not respond to the protest and therefore to express their disappointment the students were throwing rotten eggs to the building. The students later dispersed peacefully. (dar)