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Miss World 'not to blame'
LONDON, England -- The Miss World beauty pageant is not responsible for fatal riots in Nigeria that are responsible for at least 175 deaths, the organiser said. Organisers moved the show from the Nigerian capital Abuja to England after violence broke out over a newspaper article that said the prophet Mohammed would probably have married a Miss World contestant. Eighty Miss World contestants landed in London with hopes of escaping the controversy surrounding the pageant but were met with a new set of protesters -- this time feminists. Oscar-winning actress turned parliamentarian Glenda Jackson called for the contest to be halted out of respect to those killed in Nigeria. Miss World organiser Julia Morley said on Monday: "It isn't the fault of the girls or any of us. It was a journalist that made a remark and it is absolutely unfortunate that (people) were killed. She vowed the show would go and said it was "absolutely unreasonable" to suggest the event should be cancelled as a mark of respect. "I am sad about the riots. But does that mean you can't go anywhere in the world just because there might be a riot?" she said. Australian feminist Germaine Greer said the prospect of staging the show in London was "horrifying," and author and broadcaster Muriel Gray said: "These girls will be wearing swim wear dripping with blood." The contestants have been holed up in a London airport hotel since their arrival on Sunday as Morley searches for a venue to host the show. Possible sites in London include Wembley Arena and Alexandra Palace but two there, the Royal Albert Hall and Earls Court, are already booked. "I am contracted to put the show out to 130 countries on December 7 so I will," Morley said. "I will put up a tent in Hyde Park and do it from there if I have to."
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These girls will be wearing swim wear dripping with blood.
