A first in the history of the Miss Universe competition. In 2025, a Palestinian candidate will represent her country during the beauty competition scheduled for November 21, in Thailand. The happy elected official is called Nadeen Ayoub and she is 27 years old.
“The Miss Universe organization proudly welcomes delegates from around the world, celebrating diversity, cultural exchanges and the empowerment of women”, specifies the organization of Miss Universe in a press release transmitted to CNN.
The Crown candidate is presented as “an accomplished activist and a model” who “embodies the resilience and the determination that define our competition”, add the organizers.
Nadeen Ayoub was crowned Miss Palestine in 2022. The young woman grew up between her country of origin, the United States and Canada and now lives between Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Ramallah.
Holder of a diploma in literature and psychology, she is also a certified coach in well-being and nutrition. She notably founded the Olive Green Academy, which promotes sustainability by forming Palestinian women with climatic issues.
“We are more than our suffering”
Nadeen Ayoub, in competition with more than 130 women from around the world, reacted to her Instagram account. “I am honored to announce that for the first time, Palestine will be represented at Miss Universe,” she wrote.
And to continue: “Today, I go on the scene of Miss Universe not only with a title – but with a truth. While Palestine endures sorrow – especially in Gaza – I carry the voice of a people who refuses to be reduced to silence. I represent every woman and each Palestinian child whose world must recognize strength. »»
“We are more than our suffering – we are the resilience, the hope and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives through us,” continues Nadeen Ayoub.
The decision to join a Miss Palestine in the Miss Universe competition comes after more than 22 months of war, triggered by an unprecedented attack in Hamas in Israel. Of the 251 hostages kidnapped in October 2023, 49 are still retained in Gaza, including 27 dead according to the Israeli army.
Since the start of the war, 1219 people have died on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count made from official data. On the Palestinian side, at least 62,004 people died in the Gaza Strip, according to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
According to the UN, Israel besieges more than two million Palestinians threatened with famine in Gaza. Israel rejects the accusations of deliberate famine as a whole and claims to authorize the entry of more aid. A proposal for a ceasefire is on the table this Monday, suspended from Israel’s response.
