Something about Mr. Universal Ambassador sets it uniquely apart from other known mister pageants in the world today that follow the basic national costume, fashion, swimwear, formal wear and interview format. To some extent this pageant follows the same format but with a wee bit more than the usual, and a unique quality and flavor of its own.
This brand-new pageant just concluded its first edition in Surabaya, Indonesia November 3-13, 2015. And if you had followed the proceedings, you may have had noticed some discernible differences in its thrusts and mix of activities from other established pageants. Over and above the openly stated objectives and visible conduct of the pageant, something far more insightful and well known of Indonesia in character and perspective, governs this pageant.
Mr. Universal Ambassador is an international male pageant established this year in Indonesia. It is spearheaded by Edin Muhammad, President of IMP Organization. This same organization holds the national franchise and selects the country’s delegates to the international events of Mister Worldwide, Mister Global, Mister Model International, Mister United Continents, Mister Asian International and Mister Teen International.
It is a search for an impressive and intelligent young man who can be an inspiring role model and spokesperson for the youth - in affairs having to do with healthy lifestyle, education and creative life skills. Participants are tested and filtered through events such as press and media sessions; sports challenge; paper presentation; speech challenge; talent, fashion and poolside shows; diversity, auction, and gala nights.
Many of these challenges remind you of the challenge events in Mister World with notable exceptions of the paper and speech expositions which add a scholarly or academic dimension to this pageant. When it comes to the usual swimwear portion of pageants, here is where things turn most unusual for this pageant. This segment takes on an inimitable Indonesian touch with all the male candidates parading topless but wearing knee length sarong, a traditional Javanese garment wrapped and tied around the waist, often for the beach.
The reason for this is more than mere indigenous fashion, which brings us back to our earlier proposition why this pageant is unlike the rest we are familiar with. It is the ideology behind this pageant, the principles akin to moral and ethical standards rooted on culture and religion that pervades and directs the conduct of this pageant. This is so characteristic of Islamic culture where religion is viewed as a way of life, not another discrete or disparate realm to deal with.
Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country and for an Indonesian founded and organized male pageant, it is expected to conform to tightly-held local customs, beliefs, and rules. One such religious instruction is for Muslim women to cover their bodies and guard their modesty while Muslim males may display their upper bodies as long as the portion from the navel to the knees is covered. It is important to be aware of this Islamic dress code to understand why many Muslims are ill at ease to reveal their bodies and hesitant to participate in pageants that require wearing swimsuits.
In the official competition guidelines of Mr. Universal Ambassador, contestants are given the option to choose whether to wear swimwear or beach wear (sarong) during the preliminary competition but the top 15 quarter finalists should all be in beach wear during the finals. In cases, however where the host country is not Indonesia or other Muslim countries, the beach wear competition can be changed to swimwear competition.
Because of such observance, consideration and sensitivity to Islamic tenets, Mr. Universal Ambassador has opened a door for conservative, traditionally pageant-averse Islamic countries to slowly inch their way to participate in, and play a role through, a pageant. Hence, we are fortunate to witness, rarely if ever seen, representatives like Mr. Pakistan and Mr. Oman grace the inaugural edition of this pageant. Previously Mr. Palestine was reported to participate but didn’t turn up. Let’s hope for newer and wider participation in the years to come.
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