The winner of Miss Indonesia 2009 (Putri Indonesia), representing Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, 18 year old Qory Sandioriva has caused a storm in the province of Aceh for her lack of head covering.
And likely as a sign of things to come, in Banda Aceh on October 11th dozens of students belonging to the Kesatuan Aksi Mahasiswa Muslim Indonesia (KAMMI) staged a demonstration against Qory and demanded that Governor Irwandi Yusuf disown her and revoke her permission to represent the province.
Qory, who will represent Indonesia at Miss Universe 2010, narrowly bested the 'sentimental favourite' Zukhriatul Hafizah from West Sumatra (2nd) and Isti Ayu Pratiwi from North Maluku (3rd), and was crowned by reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela. She takes over from Zivanna Letisha Siregar.
She was born in Jakarta, and grew up there, with her only real connection to Aceh being her Acehnese mother. She currently studies French Literature at University of Indonesia, Depok. Since 2003 Acehnese contestants in Putri Indonesia have worn the Islamic headscarf, in line with sharia law in the province, and as part of the competition Qory Sandrioriva was asked by presenters Charles Bonar Sirait and Dian Khrisna.
