Indonesian Muslims hold anti-Miss World protest
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian Muslims have staged a demonstration in the country’s capital to try to stop the holding of the Miss World pageant this weekend on the resort island of Bali.
More than 200 members of several Muslim hard-line groups organised by the Islamic Society Forum staged a rally Tuesday at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle before marching to the MNC Tower, the building that houses the local organiser.
The demonstration was peaceful, but protesters shouted “Go to hell Miss World” and called on the government to stop the pageant. The building was guarded by 300 police.
The protest come days after the influential Indonesia’s Clerics council urged the government to cancel the event, saying the exposure of skin by women in such a competition violates Islamic teachings.
Jamaica is being represented at Miss World by 18-year-old Gina Hargitay.
