Banda Aceh, Aceh Province (ANTARA News) - Female Acehnese students, in union with the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI), opposed the Miss World 2013 Beauty Contest to be held in Bali.

"The contest sends a wrong message about our culture. Indonesia is respected for its rich culture and traditions," said KAMMI`s rally coordinator Revina Ilka Busri on Friday.

A number of female Muslim students, who took part in the protest in Simpang Lima area, Banda Aceh, claimed that the contest exploits women and contradicts the Indonesian culture.

Busri said the contest only focuses on a woman`s beauty; it does not focus on other aspects such as her lifestyle, educational qualifications, and other abilities.

"We oppose the Miss World Beauty Contest to be held in Indonesia due to the injustice inflicted on women. Besides, we are urging all Indonesians to oppose the contest," Busri added.

Busri urged the committee and related personnel to cancel the 2013 Miss World contest as a form of respect for the eastern culture of Indonesia.

"We have urged the committee to change the outlook of the Miss World Contest, which focuses more on a woman`s beauty rather than her educational qualifications and other abilities," said Busri.

The Banda Aceh Police is handling the protest. However, the protest has not resulted in a traffic jam in Simpang Lima.

After 45 minutes of protesting, KAMMI members dismissed the action in an orderly manner.

(B019/INE/KR-BSR/B003)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013