Fatkhu Rohmatin, S.K. Habsari, PUTERI MUSLIMAH INDONESIA… | 119 ` KAFA’AH JOURNAL, 10 (2), 2020 (Print ISSN 2356-0894 Online ISSN 2356-0630) Available online at http://kafaah.org/index.php/kafaah/index PUTERI MUSLIMAH INDONESIA: NEW FORMS OF OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMEN BODIES IN BEAUTY PAGEANT Fatkhu Rohmatin Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia E-mail:
[email protected], Sri Kusumo Habsari Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia E-mail:
[email protected] Article history: Submitted: 21-06-2019 | Review: 24-10-2020 | Revised: 03-11-2020 | Accepted: 16-11-2020 Abstract This paper discusses the new objectification of women bodies in the beauty pageant Puteri Muslimah Indonesia. It proposes to explore that the pageant “Puteri Muslimah Indonesia” continues to serve the consumptive culture raised by capitalism, despite its dedication and concern to promote Islamic values. This paper wants to argue the ambivalence of this pageant which in some way still glorifies the idea that women bodies as the object of gaze through the presentation of the beautiful display of the contestants with bold makeup, high heels, ideal body, glamorous gowns and ornamented hijab, despite the requirements to have some qualities of Islamic values and elements to be able to join the competition. Keywords: Puteri Muslimah Indonesia; Objectification; Women Bodies; Beauty Pageant INTRODUCTION The popularity of beauty pageants and the glorification of the winners attract many young women to participate in the competition. Many young women who join the contest are rarely aware of the history of beauty pageants that it was initially designed to function as a reminder that women’s bodies are restricted by the measuring tape and the judge’s approval of their physicality.