BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - ORGANISERS of the Miss World Pageant have placed a ban on bikinis this year out of respect for the Islamic culture of host country Indonesia, which is the largest Muslim nation in the world.
A decision was taken that instead of a bikini, a more conservative beachwear of a one-piece with a sarong has to be worn in the Bikini Segment.
Sarong is a length of fabric which is often wrapped around the waist. However, there are many ways to tie this cloth about the body which comes in traditional and modern styles.
This largely controversial topic continues to receive both supportive comments as well as disapproval over hosting the event in that country, which is doing so for the first time in its 63rd annual production.
According www.scotsman.com, “Organisers have reportedly insisted the decision to ban ¬bikinis was taken when the deal to stage the show in Indonesia was struck last year – and not after pressure from radicals.”
Words of dissatisfaction and calls to cancel the Pageant have been coming from state officials (including religious leaders) and mass organisations such as Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI), whose opinion is that the exposing of women’s body part is in violation of the Islamic teaching.
The sarong modesty measure included in this year’s competition is a top reason for which many supporters - including state officials and protestors - voicing their content.
A September 2 report from www.thejakartaglobe.com revealed that “echoing the governor’s sentiments, dozens of college students and youths in Bali held a demonstration in Denpasar on Monday in support of the pageant.”
Governor of Mali Made Mangku Pastika have publicly signalled support of the pageant asking “what is wrong” with it.
“(Contestants) will follow our ethics and procedures. They will also act in accordance with Balinese tradition and culture,” he said. “The Miss World pageant will not bring any losses to Bali or Indonesia.”
Furthermore, he sees the event as one to benefit the country financially and also in the tourism sector.
“For Bali, the event could act as a free promotion. The (competition) could lead to economic benefits and encourage tourism to the country,” he said.
A protest coordinator, Gede Mas Megantara, is quoted as saying, “We don’t think the MUI should meddle [in this issue. Such an attitude is against the principles of [Indonesia’s state ideology] Pancasila.”
It is understood that Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Suryadharma Ali, and an official at the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Maneger Nasution, are among those condemning the contest as “not being compatible with Islamic teachings and for putting women’s bodies on display”, according to that media house.
Historically, this would be the first time contestants will not appear in bikinis, although in the past five years sarongs have been sported during the Beach Heat leg of the competition.
Many fans and others familiar with this pageant, which is one of the most publicised beauty contests globally, would know that the bikini segment, over the years, has been a famed aspect of the show; as with other pageants around the world that, too, has such a judged category.
SKNVibes exclusively reached out to Miss World St. Kitts-Nevis representative, 22-year-old Trevicia Adams, who is currently in Indonesia, in an effort to get her opinion on the topic in which she applauded the decision to respect the Islamic culture.
“I’m proud with the level of professionalism that the Miss World Organisation had with regards to respecting the culture of the respective country. It showed that they are fair and understanding by simply changing the idea of the segment to respect the Islamic religion. Even though the pageant has had the parading of contestants in bikinis for a few years now, they are showing respect for the people here.”
In media reports made in June this year, the official broadcaster and local organiser, Adjie S Soeratmadjie of RCTI (Rajawali Citra Television Indonesia), made the announcement, calling it a “sensitive issue”.
“There will be no bikinis in this year’s Miss World pageant to respect our traditional customs and values.”
He explained further that “this is a sensitive issue in Indonesia. We have discussed it since last year and they (the Miss World Organisation) have agreed”.
In confirmation of the news, Chairperson of the Miss World Organisation Julia Morley said, “Indonesia is designing for us a very beautiful one-piece beachwear, and I’m very happy with them. We like to work in the manner respectful to every country.”
A cleric from Indonesia's top Muslim clerical body, the Council of Indonesian Ulama (Majelis Ulama Indonesia, MUI), Murki Aji of the West Java province, opined, “That contest is just an excuse to show women’s body parts that should remain covered. It’s against Islamic teachings.”
This media house has gathered that the first winner of the Miss World Pageant, Sweden's Kerstin 'Kiki' Hakansson, in 1951, was crowned in a two-piece bathing suit.
The pageant was held in London at the Lyceum Ballroom with 26 contestants in total.
The 2013 Pageant’s official opening ceremony took place at the Westin Resort Nusa Dua in Bali, Indonesia on Sunday (Sept. 8) and was streamed live online featuring the 130 contestants, including the representative from St. Kitts-Nevis.
The Pageant’s finale is slated for Saturday (Sept. 28) at Sentul International Convention Center on the outskirts of Indonesia's capital city, Jakarta.
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