Miss Palestine Nadeen Ayoub is set to become the first woman to represent Palestine at the Miss Universe pageant, marking a historic moment for the nation on the global stage.
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) said in a statement sent to CNN that it was “pleased to confirm” that Ayoub would compete in the Miss Universe 2025 competition, which takes place in November.
“The Miss Universe Organization proudly welcomes delegates from across the globe, celebrating diversity, cultural exchange, and the empowerment of women,” Miguel Ángel Martínez, MUO’s head of communications, wrote in an email to CNN.
Ayoub will join competitors from more than 130 other countries and territories at the 74th Miss Universe final, which will be held on November 21 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ayoub, now 27, was crowned Miss Palestine back in 2022.
In an Instagram post, Ayoub said she wanted to be a voice for 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 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,” Ayoub added.
“We are more than our suffering — we are resilience, hope, and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us.”
The decision to include a Palestinian entry in the beauty pageant comes amid growing international criticism of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in two years, with thousands still under rubble. At least 20,000 children are among the dead.
Her decision to join the Miss Universe pageant is widely applauded as she will become the voice of Palestinians on an international forum.