Why the West Bank won't crown a Miss Palestine

The Palestinians themselves are divided between the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the Islamist Hamas movement, and the West Bank, which is run by the Western-oriented Palestinian Authority. But even the secular government run by PA President Mahmoud Abbas is sensitive to the criticism of religious and cultural conservatives.

Initially, Youssef got complaints about the timing: the original date of Dec. 26 for the finale was considered insensitive because it fell on the eve of the anniversary of the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas. Then government officials said that Youssef had not obtained the proper license.

The fact that the contest was dubbed "Miss Palestine" – with connotations of a national ambassador of sorts – raised the stakes for the PA. If the pageant is approved, the PA is likely to expose itself to criticism from Hamas, which has pushed through laws in Gaza forcing women to wear modest dress in public.

"It will embarrass the Palestinian Authority if it is not done well,'' says Ahmed al-Khatib, the director of public affairs for the government's regional Ramallah governorate.

One prospective pageant competitor, Risette Hananiyeh, says the contest would provide an international stage to showcase Palestinian culture. Wearing a jacket with a fur collar, the psychologist says she sees the job of a Miss Palestine as "helping people in Gaza and to help people in [refugee] camps."

Youssef says the project has been in limbo for more than a month as her requests for sponsorship from the Tourism Ministry go unanswered. She has approached the project with the same pluck she has needed as a divorced woman to strike out on her own in a traditional society while taking care of five children and running a small business.

"I am not ashamed of myself," she says. "This is not something bad for the Palestinians, this is something that will teach the world around us that we are a normal society."

Palestinian tourism minister Kuloud Daibes said in a phone interview that officials are still deciding whether to sponsor the beauty contest, but that she is not opposed to the notion of a pageant.

"If it is designed in a way it could be accepted by the community, I don't think it would be a problem," she said. "Maybe most of us think that we have other concerns and priorities, but [a pageant] is a sign of looking for another future."

In the streets of downtown Ramallah, a group of college students wearing makeup and head scarves discussed whether the beauty contest was in keeping with Islamic customs.

"I don't think it's good in a Muslim country. It's going to be an unsuccessful experiment," says Rawan Masharka. "Beauty is something that must be kept in a relationship between a man and woman, and when you are married only."

But Ghadeer Abu Rjealeh disagreed. "I think it will strengthen Palestinian girls," she said. "I hope that one day Miss Universe will be from Palestine."

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