BBC – RADIO 1 – NEWSBEAT: A model bidding to become the first Muslim to represent the UK in the world final of Miss Universe has been defending her decision to enter.Shanna Bukhari, who is 24 and lives in Manchester, said she's been sent racist and abusive messages since making it to the beauty contest's UK final.
She believes Muslims in the UK should be allowed to have a western lifestyle.
But Muslim groups have accused her of disrespecting Islam.
Shanna was born in Blackburn and she became a full-time model after finishing her degree.
'Swimwear round'
She said it's her dream to be crowned Miss Universe - but has been told she's going against her religion.
"[I get] comments like 'you're not a Muslim because you're doing this' and it's like - this competition does not make me a bad Muslim at all.
"So it does hurt me to think that people are thinking like that," she said.
One of the main reasons some Muslims are angry is that Shanna would have to appear in swimwear in one round of the competition.
Mohammed Shafiq is from the Ramadhan Foundation, a group that works with young Muslims in the UK - he's against Shanna taking part.
"Islam is very clear that a woman should dress modestly and we do not believe that parading yourself in a bikini is appropriate," he said. » | Anthony Baxter, Newsbeat reporter | Tuesday, March 29, 2011
