Miss Germany 2005 is Half Turkish

A 23-year-old student of Turkish descent who cites belly-dancing as one of her hobbies has been voted Germany's new beauty queen for 2005, organizers said. The new Miss Germany 2005, elected on Thursday in the western town of Aachen, is Asli Bayram, who beat 21 other finalists from all over the country. Bayram, who lives in Cologne, will go on to represent Germany at the Miss Universe 2005 contest in Thailand, and also at Miss Europe 2006. She gives her hobbies as karate and belly-dancing, although she was not asked to demonstrate either discipline to win the contest. Bayram was presented with her crown by the 2004 winner, Shermine Sharivar, who is half Iranian. Miss Germany 2005 is not the only national beauty contest for young women in the country. A rival competition, called simply "Miss Germany," is due to take place later this month.