President Gen Musharraf's For the first time, a Pakistani girl has participated in an international beauty pageant overcoming the traditional barriers of the conservative Islamic nation. Houston-based Pakistani-American Mariyah Moten (22) represented Pakistan at the "Miss Bikini of the Universe" pageant held in Beihai, a summer resort city in south China on August 28. Mariyah won the "Best in Media" title (trophy plus sash), as being the most photographed and interviewed girl in the entire pageant. Since the pageant, she has been on Zee News, Khaleej Times, China Daily, Hangzhou Newspaper and various other newspapers in China and elsewhere. She was born and brought up in Karachi, Pakistan, and moved to the United States with her family eight years back. Presently she is studying Hotel Management at the University of Houston in Texas, where she did her high schooling. "It's the first time that Pakistan is participating in the bikini pageant, as we're an Islamic country," Moten was quoted as saying by 'China Daily'. "Now there's less reproach in Pakistan on women's participation in such beauty contests," she said. "All my family support me and I'm excited to have the chance to participate in the event." She and 47 other participants paraded at the 'Great hall of the people' The candidates, all aged between 18 and 25, paraded before the cameras representing their countries. India did participate. The Bikini winner was crowned "Queen Pearl" and received USD 5,000 in prize money; second and third place earned the title "Miss Pearl," and received USD 3,000 and USD 2,000 respectively, according to the pageant's organizing committee. Competing with 44 delegates, Mariyah was given the award on the final night. This is the second award Mariyah has received in her pageant career. She won "Miss Charity" at the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant in July 2006, and now the "Best in Media" title in August 2006 at the Miss Bikini Universe 2006 pageant. For More Pics Click Here courtesy: despardes.com and here is a pic of the miss bikini 
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