Beauty queen, Nadeen Ayoub, will become the first woman to represent the Palestinian people in the international beauty pageant, Miss Universe.
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) said in a statement sent to CNN on Sunday that it was "pleased to confirm" that Ayoub will compete in the 2025 edition of Miss Universe, which will be held in November.
"The Miss Universe Organization proudly welcomes representatives from around the world, celebrating diversity, cultural exchange and the empowerment of women," the statement said.
“Ms. Ayoub, a successful lawyer and model from Palestine, embodies the resilience and determination that our platform represents,” the statement added.
Ayoub will join contestants from more than 130 other countries and territories at the 74th Miss Universe finals, to be held on November 21 in Bangkok, Thailand.
At a time when the Miss Netherlands competition has been canceled with the excuse "the world is changing", the organizers of Miss Universe say:
“We look forward to welcoming Ms. Ayoub to the Miss Universe stage, where she will proudly represent Palestine, alongside contestants from every corner of the world.”
Ayoub, now 27, was crowned Miss Palestine in 2022, according to Abu Dhabi-based media outlet The National.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, Ayoub said he wants to be the voice of the Palestinian people.
"I am honored to announce that for the first time ever, Palestine will be represented at Miss Universe," she wrote in the caption.
"As Palestine goes through heartbreak — especially in Gaza — I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silent. I represent every Palestinian woman and child, whose strength the world must see," Ayoub added.
“We are more than our suffering — we are resilience, hope, and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives through us.”
The decision to include a Palestinian representative in this beauty contest comes amid growing international criticism of Israel's war in Gaza.
At least 62,004 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the conflict in October 2023, according to a statement by the Palestinian Ministry of Health published on Monday.
Authorities in Gaza do not distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters when reporting casualty numbers, but the health ministry and the United Nations say most of those killed are women and children.
As the war continues, a growing number of countries have pledged to recognize a Palestinian state, with more than 145 nations now seeking international recognition for Palestine.
Recently, Australia, Canada and France have announced plans to recognize the Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, while the United Kingdom has stated that it will recognize it conditionally, if Israel does not accept a ceasefire in Gaza and other set conditions.
CNN
