Miss Pakistan
19 September 2009, David Light (david@khaleejtimes.com)
Miss Pakistan World Ayesha Gilani, who represented her country at the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant in Zengzhou, China last month, shares her views on the modern Pakistani woman’s right to enter such shows.
UNTIL AUGUST 2010, when she has to pass on her crown, Ayesha Gilani will be known as Miss Pakistan to all who meet her. The 27-year-old English student from Washington DC, whose parents hail from Lahore, won over the judges with her charm, wit and classic good looks. Always courting a bit of controversy, the Miss Pakistan World pageant makes headlines every year as clashes between traditional culture and values and modern ways of thinking surface to the extent that the show, now in its seventh year, can’t be held in Pakistan. Ayesha and the other contestants take such trivialities in their stride, however, and shun any criticism in order to portray the modern Pakistani woman.
Winning Miss Pakistan World was just the beginning of great things to come for Ayesha and was followed with a journey to China to represent Pakistan at the Miss Tourism Queen International finals. Coming away with the Miss Elegant Second Runner Up award at the final ceremony of the month-long event on August 28 Ayesha immediately took the time to speak with us on her way back to America.
How did it feel to take home the Miss Pakistan World crown?
It has changed my life. The moment the first runner up was called, instantly making me the new Miss Pakistan World 2009, it was a surprise because I didn’t expect to be the winner. The competition was difficult; every girl there deserved to win in her own way. This made me all the more proud to win. I feel honoured to be recognised as an ambassador to Pakistan. It’s always been my wish to show the world what Pakistan and Pakistani women are all about. What more could a girl want?
How did you find the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant?
This was my first chance to represent my great nation on a global scale, and I was born ready. During this past month, I have travelled through China, to large cities and small towns, experiencing the rich, deep-rooted cultures first hand. Each city left me with a different experience I will always cherish. Everyone in China knows Pakistan as “China’s friend;” I was so ecstatic! It was a month full of activities and competitions showcasing not only to each other, but to the world, different facets of our respective countries, ending with a spectacular grand finale show in Shanghai. I have had the opportunity to meet beautiful girls representing over 100 countries worldwide, and have developed everlasting friendships; friendship has no language. I feel proud to bring into the limelight the lighter side of Pakistan, apart from what’s displayed in the media due to a few rotten apples. It’s unfortunate the world has absolutely no clue what Pakistan is all about, what rich treasures it holds and what contributions it has to offer to the world. However, I am here to change that, along with Sonia Ahmed and the Miss Pakistan World pageant, and its supporters, and anyone else who has the guts to go against the grain.
Talk us through your experience of winning Miss Pakistan World.
Why did you enter Miss Pakistan World?
Ever since I was a little girl, people have always told me I don’t look Pakistani, and I don’t act Pakistani. How does one “act” Pakistani? Apparently, people expect Pakistani women to be quiet, shy and oppressed. Au contraire! I have always been a confident, outspoken female standing up for her beliefs. Pakistani women do look like me and they do act like me, I thought. And now is my chance to educate the world on exactly how driven and headstrong we are. As a child, my role model was my older sister. She spoke up for herself always; she was beautiful; she was highly intellectual. She was the complete package. I have two young nieces now who I only hope to be a role model for. There are millions of young Pakistani girls worldwide who need the same guidance. I can only hope to be just that. In search of the golden opportunity, my parents relocated from Lahore to Miami, Florida, in the United States in 1971. Working his way up from attending college full time along with two jobs, to a Vice President on Wall Street in the financial district of New York, my father set an example early on to his children about the importance of hard work, diligence, and persistence in this life. That important life lesson played a role in my own motivations in life.
The bikini section is what has courted the most controversy. Are you personally comfortable with it?
The pageant queen is one who is supposed to represent the epitome of beauty, inside and out. Naturally, the first feature one notices on another individual is the exterior. In beauty pageants, a contestant is required to be physically appealing as well as intellectual. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating the beauty of a woman; it is a God-given gift. I appeal yet again to the masses to remember that our existence is based on the concepts of acceptance and therefore harmony. If the human race were to understand and implement this thought process, can you imagine how many of the world’s problems would cease to exist? Yes, it’s a big dream for a little girl, but change has to begin somewhere. The handful of us who dare to fight this battle are just the beginning of a wave of positive change.
How did your family react when you won?
My immediate family has always been my backbone and has supported me in everything that I have done. They claimed they knew I would win, as I’m sure every mother thinks of her daughter, and were ecstatic when I did. It’s funny, but for some time they went around introducing me as Miss Pakistan World everywhere we went. Everyone should be blessed with as loving and supportive a family as I am privileged to possess.
What do you want to be in the future?
I would love to use this platform of recognition to help the less fortunate. Pakistan has many causes that need support, such as aiding the victims displaced in Swat Valley, and for children suffering from disabilities such as Down’s syndrome. I enjoy speaking to the public about being a Pakistani young woman today, and hope my words are heard by Pakistani girls growing up, looking for a role model.
I will continue my presence in the fashion industry as a makeup artist, beauty specialist, beauty columnist and model. Representing the Pakistani presence in the Western fashion industry is a particular focus of mine, as I plan to participate in Washington, D.C. Fashion Week, and work with extremely talented up-and-coming Pakistani designers. I hope to open an establishment promoting beauty inside and out in the near future. Finally, I would love to dabble in acting, as well, given the opportunity.
I was born ready’ - Khaleej Times
19 September 2009, David Light (david@khaleejtimes.com)
Miss Pakistan World Ayesha Gilani, who represented her country at the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant in Zengzhou, China last month, shares her views on the modern Pakistani woman’s right to enter such shows.
UNTIL AUGUST 2010, when she has to pass on her crown, Ayesha Gilani will be known as Miss Pakistan to all who meet her. The 27-year-old English student from Washington DC, whose parents hail from Lahore, won over the judges with her charm, wit and classic good looks. Always courting a bit of controversy, the Miss Pakistan World pageant makes headlines every year as clashes between traditional culture and values and modern ways of thinking surface to the extent that the show, now in its seventh year, can’t be held in Pakistan. Ayesha and the other contestants take such trivialities in their stride, however, and shun any criticism in order to portray the modern Pakistani woman.
Winning Miss Pakistan World was just the beginning of great things to come for Ayesha and was followed with a journey to China to represent Pakistan at the Miss Tourism Queen International finals. Coming away with the Miss Elegant Second Runner Up award at the final ceremony of the month-long event on August 28 Ayesha immediately took the time to speak with us on her way back to America.
How did it feel to take home the Miss Pakistan World crown?
It has changed my life. The moment the first runner up was called, instantly making me the new Miss Pakistan World 2009, it was a surprise because I didn’t expect to be the winner. The competition was difficult; every girl there deserved to win in her own way. This made me all the more proud to win. I feel honoured to be recognised as an ambassador to Pakistan. It’s always been my wish to show the world what Pakistan and Pakistani women are all about. What more could a girl want?
How did you find the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant?
This was my first chance to represent my great nation on a global scale, and I was born ready. During this past month, I have travelled through China, to large cities and small towns, experiencing the rich, deep-rooted cultures first hand. Each city left me with a different experience I will always cherish. Everyone in China knows Pakistan as “China’s friend;” I was so ecstatic! It was a month full of activities and competitions showcasing not only to each other, but to the world, different facets of our respective countries, ending with a spectacular grand finale show in Shanghai. I have had the opportunity to meet beautiful girls representing over 100 countries worldwide, and have developed everlasting friendships; friendship has no language. I feel proud to bring into the limelight the lighter side of Pakistan, apart from what’s displayed in the media due to a few rotten apples. It’s unfortunate the world has absolutely no clue what Pakistan is all about, what rich treasures it holds and what contributions it has to offer to the world. However, I am here to change that, along with Sonia Ahmed and the Miss Pakistan World pageant, and its supporters, and anyone else who has the guts to go against the grain.
Talk us through your experience of winning Miss Pakistan World.
It was a difficult, yet rewarding experience. For ten days, these brave women, the finalists of Miss Pakistan World, pushed themselves beyond their physical and mental limits. After preparing for six months before convening in Canada for the finals, there was essay writing, pop quizzes, choreography practices, working out, intense photo shoots, little time to eat and sleep, all the while reflecting a positive attitude though a smile and picture-perfect looks. On the day of the pageant, while doing my makeup, I came down with a fever. My head started spinning, my voice started to change due to congestion, I was sneezing up a storm, and my eyelids became heavy with exhaustion. I scolded myself; “Not today!” I popped two Advils, a sinus reliever, and an energy drink, and focused on my goal. A few hours later, I was wearing the crown on my head as Miss Pakistan World 2009. As Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you are right.” This is a life lesson I hope to share with the Pakistani women of the world. Every contestant had her own strengths; in my case, my go-getter attitude set me apart, along with my wishes for Pakistan to be recognised on a global level.
Why did you enter Miss Pakistan World?
Ever since I was a little girl, people have always told me I don’t look Pakistani, and I don’t act Pakistani. How does one “act” Pakistani? Apparently, people expect Pakistani women to be quiet, shy and oppressed. Au contraire! I have always been a confident, outspoken female standing up for her beliefs. Pakistani women do look like me and they do act like me, I thought. And now is my chance to educate the world on exactly how driven and headstrong we are. As a child, my role model was my older sister. She spoke up for herself always; she was beautiful; she was highly intellectual. She was the complete package. I have two young nieces now who I only hope to be a role model for. There are millions of young Pakistani girls worldwide who need the same guidance. I can only hope to be just that. In search of the golden opportunity, my parents relocated from Lahore to Miami, Florida, in the United States in 1971. Working his way up from attending college full time along with two jobs, to a Vice President on Wall Street in the financial district of New York, my father set an example early on to his children about the importance of hard work, diligence, and persistence in this life. That important life lesson played a role in my own motivations in life.
The bikini section is what has courted the most controversy. Are you personally comfortable with it?
The pageant queen is one who is supposed to represent the epitome of beauty, inside and out. Naturally, the first feature one notices on another individual is the exterior. In beauty pageants, a contestant is required to be physically appealing as well as intellectual. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating the beauty of a woman; it is a God-given gift. I appeal yet again to the masses to remember that our existence is based on the concepts of acceptance and therefore harmony. If the human race were to understand and implement this thought process, can you imagine how many of the world’s problems would cease to exist? Yes, it’s a big dream for a little girl, but change has to begin somewhere. The handful of us who dare to fight this battle are just the beginning of a wave of positive change.
How did your family react when you won?
My immediate family has always been my backbone and has supported me in everything that I have done. They claimed they knew I would win, as I’m sure every mother thinks of her daughter, and were ecstatic when I did. It’s funny, but for some time they went around introducing me as Miss Pakistan World everywhere we went. Everyone should be blessed with as loving and supportive a family as I am privileged to possess.
What do you want to be in the future?
I would love to use this platform of recognition to help the less fortunate. Pakistan has many causes that need support, such as aiding the victims displaced in Swat Valley, and for children suffering from disabilities such as Down’s syndrome. I enjoy speaking to the public about being a Pakistani young woman today, and hope my words are heard by Pakistani girls growing up, looking for a role model.
I will continue my presence in the fashion industry as a makeup artist, beauty specialist, beauty columnist and model. Representing the Pakistani presence in the Western fashion industry is a particular focus of mine, as I plan to participate in Washington, D.C. Fashion Week, and work with extremely talented up-and-coming Pakistani designers. I hope to open an establishment promoting beauty inside and out in the near future. Finally, I would love to dabble in acting, as well, given the opportunity.
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