Bikini Ban: Miss World 2013

0
4289
Bikini Ban
Miss World 2013 taking place in Indonesia implements a bikini ban during the swimwear competition. Contestants are banned from wearing bikinis and will sport a more traditional sarong. (Photo: Reuters)

Bikini Ban: Indonesia’s Miss World 2013 Contest Beauty Pageant Prohibits Bikinis After Muslim Groups Protest:

Most of Indonesia’s Muslims are moderate, TNT Magazine notes, an extremist minority have focused their efforts on the Miss World Competition, which has resulted in the bikini ban. Women could be held liable to pay hefty fines if they wore bikinis or other forms of revealing swimming outfits while out on public beaches in the United Arab Emirates.

I don’t want to upset or get anyone in a situation where we are being disrespectful,” Miss World Organization chairwoman Julia Morley told Australia’s Herald Sun “We treasure respect for all the countries that take part in the pageant.” , according to E Online.

Bikini Ban
Miss World 2013 taking place in Indonesia implements a bikini ban during the swimwear competition. Contestants are banned from wearing bikinis and will sport a more traditional sarong. (Photo: Reuters)

“Indonesia is designing for us a very beautiful one-piece beachwear, and I’m very happy with them,” she told The Associated Press by phone from London, adding that the pageant will include a special beachwear fashion show, Fox News reports.

“I don’t think Indonesia is the only country that has that culture,” Morley said. “But we like to work in the manner respectful to every country, and I cannot see why when you go to somebody’s country you should not behave respectfully.”

However, Islamic hardliners are not satisfied with the Miss World bikini ban. Jakarta Globe reports that religious protesters vow to stop the “immoral” beauty pageant taking place in Indonesia despite the bikini ban. The Hizb ut-Tahrir group criticized the show as “selling women’s bodies” and have threatened to protest against it.

“Supporting this event is the same as supporting the selling of women’s bodies,” said Ismail Yusanto, spokesman for Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia, who also warned the group may organize protests, according to the Jakarta Globe. “Women are lowering themselves by allowing themselves to be turned into objects, to be stared at and have their bodies measured.”

At this year’s Miss World beauty pageant, 137 women will be showing significantly less skin now that the bikini ban has been put into effect. What do you think about nixing bikinis from the swimwear competition? Tell us your thoughts on the bikini ban in the comment section.

The Miss World competition takes place September 28 on the resort island of Bali as well as near the capital, Jakarta.

What are your thoughts on the bikini ban of these ladies participating in the Miss World contest in Indonesia this year?