Nurdin Hassan, Banda Aceh – In the latest religious dispute out of Aceh, a prominent group of Islamic clerics has denounced newly crowned Putri Indonesia Qori Sandioriva for "bringing shame" to the province by abandoning its conservative Muslim values on her way to winning the title.

Sandioriva, 18, who was born in Jakarta but has an Acehnese mother, beat out 37 other contestants from 33 provinces to win the pageant on Friday. She will represent Indonesia in the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant.

Aceh's Daya Ulema Association criticized Sandioriva for not wearing a jilbab during the competition or observing other norms of Shariah law. Granted special autonomy, the province strictly adheres to Shariah law.

"We are not bothered by the Putri Indonesia contest. What bothers [us] is why she represented Aceh, but did not reflect the values and culture of the Acehnese people who are well-known for their Islamic faith," said Teungku Faisal Ali, the association's secretary general.

"Dayah [and all ulema regret that a contestant representing Aceh did so without representing Aceh's values."

The province has imposed partial Shariah law since 2001, and expanded it further under a 2006 autonomy law. However, the province's laws must not violate existing national laws or the Constitution, a situation that has created legal tussles.

Last month, Aceh's provincial legislature passed a bylaw mandating that adulterers be stoned to death, which drew protests from human rights groups and brought embarrassing international media attention. Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf has refused to sign the new bylaw.

Regardless, the uproar over Putri Indonesia has shown that some groups in Aceh continue to flex their muscles in support of its autonomy, even though the pageant doesn't have a swimsuit competition.

Faisal said Sandioriva shouldn't have represented Aceh because her father is Sundanese and she studies at the University of Indonesia near Jakarta.

Sandioriva, who finished in the top five in both the gown competition and the interview segment, said she received permission from the Aceh government to compete, given that the province doesn't have a selection process for Putri Indonesia.

"If it is true the Aceh government gave her permission, then their commitment to enacting Shariah is questionable," Faisal said, adding that Acehnese contestants should only show their face, palms and feet.

In reply to a question, Sandioriva told the pageant's host, Charles Bonar Sirait, that she didn't feel the need to wear a jilbab or veil. "Hair is beauty, and I am proud of beauty," she said.

The controversy may return next year when Sandioriva competes in Miss Universe, which has a swimsuit competition.

"Promoting Aceh should not be done by showing genitalia, especially when she competes for the Miss Universe title, which surely will disgrace Aceh even more," Faisal said.

Sandioriva's win was a hot topic among local Facebook browsers over the weekend, with many supporting the new beauty queen but most reprimanding her for not wearing a jilbab.