Headscarf no barrier to beauty contest

18-year-old Andina does not see her headscarf as a barrier

A woman wearing a traditional Muslim headscarf is competing to become the next Miss Indonesia.

Despite her hair being covered, 18-year-old Andina told the state Antara news agency that she would prove she could still win the contest.

Although Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, the vast majority of women do not cover their heads - including the other 29 Miss Indonesia contestants.

But Andina is from the province of Aceh, where Muslims often practice a more conservative version of Islam.

According to the French news agency AFP, the judges have said they will assess Andina differently from the other finalists - looking at how she arranges her headscarf rather than looking at her hair.

According to Putri Kuswisnuwardhani, the chairwoman of the Miss Indonesia Foundation, brains, beauty and behaviour will all be assessed in deciding who will become the next Miss Indonesia.