SEA Games: Thousands back Malaysian gymnast in ‘genitalia’ row...

Thousands of people have shown their support for Malaysian gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi after she was criticised for competing in revealing clothing at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

By Monday, 11,000 people had "liked" the Facebook page "Farah Ann Abdul Hadi For Malaysia" which calls for "praise and support" for the double gold-medallist.

Last week, some critics in the majority Muslim country slammed the 21-year-old, saying they could see the shape of her "aurat" (genitalia) in her leotard.Abdul Hadi wrote on the page:

"I would just like to express my sincerest gratitude to all of you who have been supporting me."It is such an overwhelming feeling to have had such a great and positive respond from all of you."

Abdul Hadi, who won six medals in total at the Games in Singapore, has won broad support in the controversy including from Malaysia's youth and sports minister. Full story...

Related posts:

1. Tragedy blamed on foreigners posing nude at peak of Mount Kinabalu...
2. Muslims in Malaysia protest outside church building, say cross ‘challenging Islam’
3. The perils of speaking out against Islamic law in Malaysia...
4. Alarming rise of Malaysian religious extremism...
5. Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim's daughter arrested for 'sedition'
6. In Malaysia, ‘Allah’ is reserved for Muslims only...
7. Another Allah case arises in Malaysia...
8. Growing Islamic fundamentalism seen pushing Malays to quit Malaysia...