JAKARTA, Indonesia –Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir vowed Thursday (June 6th) to stop Indonesia from hosting the Miss World beauty pageant in September, condemning it as "immoral", AFP reported.

Out of deference to Muslim sensibilities, organisers had already imposed restrictions on contestants, banning bikinis and replacing them with more traditional sarongs.

But hardliners like Hizb ut-Tahrir are not mollified. "Supporting this event is the same as supporting the selling of women's bodies," said Hizb ut spokesman Ismail Yusanto, who added his group may organise protests. "Women are lowering themselves by allowing themselves to be turned into objects, to be stared at and have their bodies measured."

The Islam Reformist Movement (Garis), which is affiliated with the radical Islamic Defenders Front, also said the bikini ban was not enough. "They will still wear outfits that will encourage sex and immoral acts," said Garis head Chep Hernawan.