In a historic moment, Erica Robin, a 24-year-old Christian model from Karachi, has made history by becoming Pakistan’s first-ever Miss Universe contestant. While her achievement was celebrated by many in the country, it has ignited a contentious debate, drawing criticism from orthodox forces who label it “shameful.”
Erica Robin’s journey to the Miss Universe stage began when she was crowned Miss Universe Pakistan at a competition held in the Maldives. The event was organized by the Dubai-based Yugen Group, which also holds the franchise rights to Miss Universe Bahrain and Miss Universe Egypt.
While the win marked a significant moment for the aspiring model and her supporters, it quickly drew the ire of conservative factions in Pakistan. Some have labeled the participation in beauty pageants as “shameful” due to the nation’s Muslim-majority status.
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami party voiced his concerns, echoing the sentiment of many orthodox voices in the country. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakar went a step further and ordered an investigation into the matter.
The decision to send Erica Robin to represent Pakistan at the Miss Universe beauty pageant has sparked outrage among conservatives, who argue that beauty pageants are rare in Pakistan and that Miss Robin may not accurately represent the values and preferences of the nation.
In response to the backlash, Erica Robin remains optimistic and intends to use her platform to challenge stereotypes about Pakistan. She hopes to change the prevailing mindset that Pakistan is a backward country, offering a more progressive and inclusive perspective on the nation.
Despite the controversy, Ms. Robin is determined to carry the hopes and dreams of many Pakistanis with her to the Miss Universe competition and promote a positive image of her home country.
Resources:
1.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66991577.amp
3.https://www.aol.com/news/pakistans-shameful-first-miss-universe-001027499.html
5.https://news.yahoo.com/pakistans-shameful-first-miss-universe-001027431.html