Miss World has axed the famed bikinis from this year's pageant¹（盛会，游行） in Indonesia, replacing the skimpy（不足的） swimsuits with conservative beach sarongs（纱笼） amid mounting protests from hard-line Muslim groups, organizers said Thursday.

 

All of the more than 130 contestants² will be required to wear Bali's traditional long sarongs instead of the sexy bikinis that are historically part of the competition, said Adjie S. Soeratmadjie of the RCTI, the official broadcaster and local organizer.

 

Parts of the pageant will take place on the resort island of Bali and the final round will be held Sept. 28 near the capital, Jakarta. Indonesia is the world's most populous³ Muslim country.

 

"There will be no bikini in this year's Miss World pageant to respect our traditional customs and values," Soeratmadjie said, adding that the London-based Miss World Organization is on board with the decision.

 

"This is a sensitive issue in Indonesia. We have discussed it since last year and they have agreed," he said.

 

The chairwoman of the Miss World Organization, Julia Morley, confirmed that none of the 137 contestants would wear a bikini.

 

"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.

 

"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."

 

The pageant began in the 1950s, and the first winner was crowned in a two-piece bathing suit.

 

Soeratmadjie said the sarong would be made creatively and designed specifically for the event.

 

Most Muslims in Indonesia, a secular⁴ country of 240 million people, are moderate, but a small extremist fringe has become more vocal⁵ in recent years.

 

Lady Gaga was forced to cancel her sold-out concert in Indonesia in May following threats by Islamic hard-liners, who called her a "devil worshipper." Jennifer Lopez toned down her sexy outfits⁶ and dance moves during a show in Jakarta last December.

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