Nadeen Ayoub to become first Miss Palestine to compete in Miss Universe

Nadeen Ayoub, crowned Miss Palestine in 2022, is set to make history this November as the first representative from Palestine to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.

The announcement was made by the 27-year-old beauty queen on her social media, where she highlighted the profound meaning of her participation amid the ongoing genocide.

The Miss Universe 2025 competition is scheduled for November 21 in Pak Kret, Thailand. Ayoub’s entry marks a significant first for Palestine at the global pageant, which has been running for 74 years.

In her announcement, Ayoub, who lives between Dubai and Ramallah, stated that her participation is a tribute to the people of Gaza and Palestine. "As Palestine endures heartbreak, especially in Gaza, I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced," she wrote. "I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see." She added that she views the competition as a platform to challenge global misconceptions and humanize Palestinians.

Ayoub's past pageant experience includes being the first Palestinian representative to participate in Miss Earth in 2022, where she was a top-five finalist.

Her current advocacy focuses on women's empowerment and sustainability through her Dubai-based Olive Green Academy, which trains women in environmental advocacy and digital media.