14 DAY TRIAL // The Muslim community in Indonesia has complained about the bikini segment of the Miss World Competition, prompting a ban on said long-awaited part of the show.
“There will be no bikinis in this year’s Miss World pageant to respect our traditional customs and values.
“This is a sensitive issue in Indonesia. We have discussed it since last year and they [the Miss World Organization] have agreed,” said Adjie S Soeratmadjie speaking for Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia.
According to the Scotsman, a majority of the population does not support the ban. Deputy tourism minister Sapta Nirwandar suggested that, while the rule was set forward by the government, it was only lobbied by a minority of the population.
“Some people in Indonesia still consider it taboo for women to wear bikinis and outfits that expose body parts,” Mr. Nirwandar explains.
The Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia group are stressing that exposing women's body parts is indecent and against the rules of Islam.
“Supporting this event is the same as supporting the selling of women’s bodies,” the organization leader argues. They are supported by Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia head Chep Hernawan.
The part of the competition will still exist, but the ladies will be wearing one-piece swimsuits, states pageant chairwoman Julia Morley.
“Indonesia is designing for us a very beautiful one-piece beachwear, and I’m very happy with them,” she said. “We like to work in the manner respectful to every country,” she describes.
The pageant board is not fighting the decision by the Indonesian government, as they are trying to promote themselves as supportive of different cultures.
“I do not want to upset or get anyone in a situation where we are being disrespectful. “We treasure respect for all the countries that take part in the pageant,” Morley tells the Sun.