Dawn Images

Beauty queen Nadeen Ayoub will become the first woman to represent the Palestinian people at the Miss Universe pageant, CNN reported.

The Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) confirmed in a statement on Sunday that Ayoub would compete in the Miss Universe 2025, which is set to take place in November.

“The Miss Universe Organisation proudly welcomes delegates from across the globe, celebrating diversity, cultural exchange, and the empowerment of women,” the statement read.

“Ms Ayoub, an accomplished advocate and model from Palestine, embodies the resilience and determination that define our platform,” it added.

Ayoub will join competitors from more than 130 other countries and territories at the 74th Miss Universe final, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand.

“We look forward to welcoming Ms Ayoub on the Miss Universe stage, where she will proudly represent Palestine, standing alongside contestants from every corner of the world,” MUO said in the statement.

Speaking to The National about this milestone, Ayoub said, “When you have that power, you have a responsibility to speak out. And I feel a huge responsibility.”

Acknowledging that Miss Universe is a huge platform, she said, “There’s a big responsibility in speaking out about what’s happening in Gaza. No one should be silent about the injustice that’s happening. This is the time when Palestine needs to be represented on all platforms everywhere.”

Ayoub, now 27, was crowned Miss Palestine back in 2022. She made history that year by representing her country for the first time at the Miss Earth pageant, where she landed among the top five finalists. But she had to put her future plans as a title holder on hold after October 7, reported the outlet.

Posting on Instagram on Thursday, Ayoub said she wanted to be a voice for the Palestinian people. “As Palestine endures heartbreak, especially in Gaza, I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced. I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see.

“We are more than our suffering — we are resilience, hope, and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us.”

According to CNN, the decision to include a Palestinian entry in the beauty pageant comes amid growing international criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza.

At least 62,004 people have been killed in the strip since October 2023, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a statement on Monday. The health ministry and the United Nations say the majority of those killed are women and children.

A growing number of countries are pledging to recognise a Palestinian state, with more than 145 nations now joining the call for international recognition.

Most recently, Australia, Canada and France announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September, while the United Kingdom has conditionally said it will recognise it if Israel does not meet criteria that include agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza.