Miss World: March 2014

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Miss World has axed the famed bikinis from this year’s pageant in Indonesia, replacing the skimpy swimsuits with conservative beach sarongs amid mounting protests from hard-line Muslim groups, organizers said Thursday.

All of the more than 130 contestants 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 September 28 near the capital, Jakarta. Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim country.

“There will 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.

Controversy over the pageant has been mounting in Indonesia, which has a reputation as a tolerant, pluralist society that respects freedom of expression.

Clerics of the Indonesian Council of Ulema, or MUI, said they would send a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to demand that the beauty pageant be canceled.

“That contest is just an excuse to show women’s body parts that should remain covered,” said Mukri Aji, a prominent cleric from West Java province’s MUI branch. “It’s against Islamic teachings.”

Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia, a hard-line Islamic group, said it planned to stage a protest and called for the competition to be moved elsewhere.

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

They have pushed through controversial laws — including an anti-pornography bill — and have been known to attack anything perceived as blasphemous, from transvestites and bars to “deviant” religious sects.

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 outfits and dance moves during a show in Jakarta last December.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Miss Philippines crowned the new Miss World - CNN.

By CNN Staff

updated 4:17 PM EDT, Sat September 28, 2013

From left to right, Miss Gibraltar, Maroua Kharbouch; Miss Spain, Elena Ibarbian Jimenez; Miss Brazil, Sancler Frantz Konzen; Miss Ghana, Carranza Naa Okailey Shooter; Miss Philippines, Megan Young; and Miss France, Marine Lorphelin, were the final five contestants of the Miss World 2013 pageant. The 127 contestants competed in beach fashion, fitness, world fashion, talent and "Beauty with a Purpose" meant to honor charitable work.

Miss World 2013: Top 5 finalists

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Miss Philippines Megan Young is crowned Miss World

She was born in the United States

The 23-year-old is an aspiring filmmaker

(CNN) -- A new Miss World was crowned Saturday, and though she competed as Miss Philippines, she hails from the United States.

Megan Young, 23, an aspiring filmmaker, took the top honor at the competition, held in Bali, Indonesia.

"No words! Thank you so much for everyone for choosing me. I promise to be the best Miss World ever," Young said.

Miss France, Marine Lorphelin, and Miss Ghana, Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter, were second and third runners up, respectively.

Megan Young, seated, is crowned Miss World 2013 on Saturday.

Miss World sparks controversy

Miss world sparks controversy

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Young was born in the United States and moved to the Philippines at age 10, according to her biography.

The new Miss World is a college student who has appeared on screen as an actress and presenter since she was 15.

Young wants to move behind the camera and become a director, according to her bio.

Miss World's 127 contestants competed in beach fashion, fitness, world fashion, talent and "Beauty with a Purpose" meant to honor charitable work. The top 10 models -- from Ukraine, South Sudan, Brazil, the Philippines, France, Cameroon, Cyprus, England, Italy and the United States -- were announced earlier this week.

Protesters in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, denounced the event.

In an attempt to appease religious concerns, the pageant scrapped the swimsuit competition and replaced it with less-revealing beachwear attire.

Also, the finals were originally to be held on the outskirts of Jakarta, but protesters forced the event to relocate to the Hindu resort island of Bali.

CNN's Neda Farshbaf, Mary Primiano, Kathy Quiano and Madison Park contributed to this report.