Hammasa Kohistani was born in Tashkent and moved to central Uzbekistan after her parents were forced to flee Afghanistan. She speaks six languages, including Russian, Persian and French, and looked ecstatic as the crown was placed on her head before a cheering crowd in Liverpool's Olympia Theatre on 3rd September 2005. She was selected from a group of 40.

Known as Miss Maya, after the Asian fashion house that sponsored her, she has also been offered a part in a Bollywood movie. The competition winner secures a place in the Miss World final in China in December, which offers a $US100,000 ($A130,000) prize.

Ms Kohistani and Sarah Mendly, 23, a biochemistry graduate who had already been named Miss Nottingham, were among four Muslims among the 20 finalists, which has annoyed some Islamic clerics.

"There is no way a Muslim girl should be playing any part in this competition, because it is unlawful," said Hashim Sulaiman, of the Liverpool Islamic Institute, according to The Times. "The ladies in that contest are very scantily dressed, and the only part of the body that should be on display are the face, the hands, and the feet."
 

An Uzeb-born teenager Hammasa has become the first Muslim to be crowned Miss England, and she will compete in the Miss World pageant in China in December. Hammasa Kohistani, 18, whose parents had fled Afghanistan, said she was delighted but surprised, and hoped she would not be the last Muslim to receive the honour.

"When they announced that I had won I thought I had misheard," said Ms Kohistani, dressed in an ivory white chiffon-and-silk ball gown designed and made by her mother. "It took a second to sink in."

Asked about being the first Muslim Miss England, Ms Kohistani said: "I'm making history, and I'm very happy. Hopefully, I won't be the last."



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The End. Sep 07 2005