Obabiyi Aisha Ajibola of Nigeria yesterday won an international beauty pageant for Muslim women held in Indonesia, making her the first foreign winner of the competition.

NONE Ajibola ( left ) wept and recited the Quran after being named World Muslimah (Miss Muslim World) at a ceremony in Jakarta.

“Praise be to Allah. I never expected to win the competition,” said Ajibola, who wore a flowing gold yellow dress and a matching headscarf. “I dedicate this to all Nigerian women.”

Ajibola’s victory was decided by a vote involving 100 Indonesian orphans, who had to chose between one of the top two contestants picked by a panel of judges from Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh.

The urban planning student from Lagos defeated 18 other contestants from six countries, including a compatriot.

All contestants at the World Muslimah pageant are required to wear clothing that covers all but the face and hands.

The contest started in 2011 in Indonesia but this year, foreigners are among the 20 finalists - two from Nigeria, and one each from Malaysia, Brunei, Iran, Bangladesh and the United States.

The US contestant, Ainee Fatima, could not make it to Indonesia because her father was sick.

The finalists were asked questions on issues ranging from fashion, education to Islamic finance.

When Ajibola was asked about the concept of halal by a Malaysian judge, she said: “We should follow the Quranic guidance about what to eat and not eat.”

“We must take only what is pure so that we can maintain our piety,” the Nigerian said.

Indonesian judge Inneke Koesherawati said Ajibola as confident and clever.

“The other contestants are smart but her answers were outstanding,” she said.

As the first winner, Ajibola received 25 million rupiah (US2,200 dollars) in cash and a trip to Saudi Arabia to perform a pilgrimage.

Brunei will host next year’s competition.

World Muslimah Foundation founder Eka Shanty said the contest was aimed to counter the hegemony of secular beauty pageants such as Miss World and Miss Universe.

- dpa