A beauty pageant is known for three things: brains, talent and bikinis. At least it was.

In Indonesia, Miss World axed the famed bikinis from this year's pageant, replacing the swimsuits with conservative beach sarongs. The change came from mounting Muslim group protests.

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. 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 populous Muslim country.

"There will no bikini in this year's Miss World pageant to respect our traditional customs and values," a Miss World representative 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.

The pageant began in the 1950s, and the first winner was crowned in a two-piece bathing suit. Controversy over the pageant has been mounting in Indonesia, which has a reputation as a tolerant, pluralist society that respects freedom of expression.

"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."

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.

This isn't the first instance of value-challenged issues surfacing in the Miss World pageant. In London, 2011, feminists were out in force protesting, pledging support to a 40-year-old campaign against the beauty pageant.

With so much opposition to the competition, there is just as much positive reinforcement. Appreciating beauty should not cause anger. Women enter beauty pageants at their own will, they are not forced into it.