CONTESTANTS at this year's Miss World beauty pageant will not wear bikinis in the parade in a bid to avoid causing offence in Muslim-majority Indonesia, organisers have confirmed.

The 137 women taking part in the September contest will swap bikinis for more conservative attire, such as traditional sarongs, for the beach fashion section.

The contest is being held on the resort island of Bali, where foreign tourists flock in their millions and the beaches are packed with women sunbathing in skimpy swimwear.

But Miss World Organisation chairwoman Julia Morley insisted that none of the pageant's contestants would wear a bikini.


Bikinis have long been a feature of the Miss World beauty pageant. Picture: AFP

"I don't want to upset or get anyone in a situation where we are being disrespectful," she said from London.

"We treasure respect for all the countries that take part in the pageant," she said, adding the outfits had not yet been finalised. Organisers are treading carefully after a number of music acts to recently visit Indonesia provoked controversy because of performers' outfits.

Last year pop sensation Lady Gaga was forced to cancel her concert in Indonesia after Muslim hardliners threatened to burn down the venue and criticised her for only wearing"a bra and panties".

Singer Beyonce and band The Pussycat Dolls were also asked to cover up before performing in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.

The upcoming Miss World pageant, to be held in Bali and Bogor just outside Jakarta, has already stirred anger with the country's top Muslim clerical body, the Indonesian Ulema Council, which has called for its cancellation.

tpia@:
Are those the sarongs?

gluv01: I like Muslims with their strict abiding laws...
If it were Christians, we wouldn't fight to protect our religion and please God. We all leave everything to God.

And I don't mean by carrying out threats or being overly physical, a more subtle approach will do.
Nice one @the post. They respect every religion

Chris†Kid:


What has religion got to do with pagaent show? If your religion forbides that kind of stuff then don't come or watch. Or were you forced to? Don't spoil the show for others because of your religion. Not everybody believes in your religion you know.

gluv01:

I shouldn't ask you if you truly read every single word of the piece.
Didn't you see where was written about Muslims threatening to burn a vicinity if lady gaga dares come there, just coz of bra and pant.
I'm not putting religion in the way, i only observed the way of life of a Muslim, and that of a Christian which i am, and commented. Hold your peace please...am spoiling no fun, where's the fun here to spoil?

gluv01:

I shouldn't ask you if you truly read every single word of the piece.
Didn't you see where was written about Muslims threatening to burn a vicinity if lady gaga dares come there, just coz of bra and pant.
I'm not putting religion in the way, i only observed the way of life of a Muslim, and that of a Christian which i am, and commented. Hold your peace please...am spoiling no fun, where's the fun here to spoil?

gluv01: I like Muslims with their strict abiding laws...
If it were Christians, we wouldn't fight to protect our religion and please God. We all leave everything to God.

And I don't mean by carrying out threats or being overly physical, a more subtle approach will do.
Nice one @the post. They respect every religion

Chris†Kid:

You didnt only observed, you like the muslims way and accused Christians of not fighting to please God. That is so wrong.
And yes thats spoiling every fun. Now we don't get to see the normal bikini cus some people are overly sensitive.
Unless you gone show me you ina bikini?

Akshow: no need emphasizing that u re a xtian. No need for any comparative religious standard here too. Jus know it is wrong to Lord ur religious belief on others. If ur religion does nt permit nudity which I'm sure all religion does nt permit, sit at home don't go watch d pageant. If dem shw am for tv, switch it off. This is d 21st century and people re free to live n do wit their lives as they pls. So dearie, there is nothing to commend in this. Sha I blame d organisers for takin it dere sha.

tpia@:
Are those the sarongs?

valicious1: Ok they dont tolerate indecency in their country yet they'ld go bombing other non-muslim countries killing & rendering thousands homeless. Bloody aggresive bigots.

Chris†Kid:
http://www.news.com.au/world-news/miss-world-removes-bikinis-in-muslim-indonesia/story-fndir2ev-1226658277159


Who's representing Nigeria btw?

Princess tosin: I will represent nigeria for the miss world.thank you

gluv01: I like Muslims with their strict abiding laws...
If it were Christians, we wouldn't fight to protect our religion and please God. We all leave everything to God.

And I don't mean by carrying out threats or being overly physical, a more subtle approach will do.
Nice one @the post. They respect every religion

Policewoman: This may soon be moved to the Muslims section. Make una dey watch una tongue o! Anyways, na dem sabi. I no dey even watch that miss world kini.