Miss Afghanistan Vida Samadzai, the first Afghan women in three decades to take part in a beauty pageant, has won the Miss Earth's "beauty for a cause" award.

But in the process Samadzai, 23, who left Afghanistan in 1996 to study in the United States, has irked officials back home, who have panned her for betraying Muslim culture.

Even though she did not make it to the event's semis, Samadzai took home the inaugural prize at the event in Manila.

Miss Honduras Dania Prince was crowned Miss Earth.

Samadzai won the award for "symbolising the newfound confidence, courage and spirit of today's women".

But not everyone is impressed.

A senior Afghan justice official said she could have broken the law by parading in a skimpy bikini at the contest.

"I hope that this lady regrets her actions," Manawi told a news agency.