London, Dec 10(BDNEWS) - A British teenager who fled the Taleban regime in Afghanistan will become the first Muslim to represent England in the Miss World beauty contest on Saturday.
Hammasa Kohistani, 18, has been made third favourite with odds of 16-1 to win the competition in Sanya, China.
Islamic extremists have sent her death threats for taking part in the contest, which will be watched by two billion, wire services report.
Miss Kohistani fled Afghanistan with her parents in 1996 and came to England via Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Dubai.
On arriving in England, Miss Kohistani's father Khushal set up a takeaway food business while her mother Layla worked as an interpreter.
She has also been offered a part in a Bollywood film.
Miss Kohistani said: "This is a real life fairy story that couldn't happen in any other country.
Among those Miss Kohistani beat to the Miss England crown was another Muslim entrant, Sarah Mendly, 23, who was voted Miss Nottingham.
A total of 102 contestants are attending in the Miss World final round.
BDNEWS/1202 hrs
