Model Nadeen Ayoub will become the first woman to represent Palestine at the Miss Universe pageant.
“I am honored to announce that for the first time ever, Palestine will be represented at Miss Universe. Today, I step onto the Miss Universe stage not just with a title—but with a truth,” she said in a statement on Instagram.
The decision comes amid the continued criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza. Ayoub addressed the turmoil in her post.
“As Palestine endures heartbreak — especially in Gaza — I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced,” she said. “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.”
Ayoub said in a post on Tuesday that wearing the sash is an honor that “carries the weight of generations, the dreams of our daughters, and the strength of a homeland still standing with grace.”
“This is for every Palestinian who rises despite the odds,” she said. “For every child who deserves a life of peace, dignity, and possibility. I walk with you. I speak for you. I carry Palestine in my heart and across every stage I step onto.”
The 74th Miss Universe Competition will take place on Nov. 21 in Thailand.
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