Miss Universe pageant due in Nigeria despite death by stoning controversy

Preparations for this year’s Miss World pageant have gotten underway in Nigeria amid concerns over a ruling by an Islamic Sharia court to sentence a woman to death by stoning for committing adultery.The event has been marred by threats from at least nine contestants to boycott the competition in protest against the stoning of women.An Islamic court in northern Nigeria handed the sentence to Amina Lawal, a 31-year-old single mother, for having sex outside marriage. Her appeal was rejected in August and Amina went into hiding as she awaited a response to her second appeal.An anti-death penalty group which the beauty contestants support, wants them to continue to travel to Nigeria.Elisabetta Zamparutti, Board of Directors, "Hands Off Cain", said: "I think boycotting Miss World in Nigeria is unjust, because Nigeria is a new democracy and President Olusegun Obasanjo assured the international community that Amina will not be stoned."The contestants who had decided not to boycott the event, also feel it is better if they help to draw attention to Amina’s plight.Miss United States Rebekah Rebels said: "I decided that the best thing for us to do was to take a stance, a positive stance and come over to Africa and support her (Amina Lawal), instead of staying at home."That is something the contest organisers agree to.Head of Miss World Organisation Julia Morley said: "I think it’s very important for all of us to talk and not turn our backs on each other." The boycott threats and pressure from fundamentalist groups have delayed the Miss World contest by more than a week.It is now scheduled to begin after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.