What would have been the first-ever beauty pageant in Upper Egypt was cancelled unexpectedly on Monday, the day it should have taken place, because of security concerns and threats of violence, The Telegraph reported.
Miss Upper Egypt was scheduled to take place Monday, Oct. 10 at the Four Season Hall in Assiut, but was “abruptly” cancelled when the hotel “refused to let the competition go ahead,” the British publication reported.
The town of Assiut, known for its highly conservative, traditional views, became embroiled in online protests when news of the pageant broke.
Fatima Bakr, the organizer of the Miss Upper Egypt competition told The Telegraph she had received death threats, and others had threatened to burn down the hotel if the pageant went ahead.
Ten women were expected to take part in the event. The idea was to focus on the women’s “inner beauty” and would not have had them walk in front of an audience, but rather do things such as demonstrate their knowledge of the Quran.
