A Saudi beauty queen who beat 274 rivals was crowned last Thursday the “Queen of Beautiful Morals” – all without showing her face. Saudi media reports that 18-year-old Aya Ali al-Mulla was dressed in a head-to-toe black abaya.
No swimsuit or evening gown competitions took place in the pageant. Instead, al-Mulla and the other contestants were exposed to a three-month battery of tests demonstrating loyalty to their family and service to society. A 15-year-old highschool girl who won third-place was cited for taking care of her home and family on weekends when her mother was away.