First Palestinian Miss Universe contestant vows to give her people a voice

Nadeen Ayoub is set to make history as the first Palestinian to compete in the Miss Universe pageant this November in Thailand, a milestone she sees as a chance to show that Palestinians are more than the headlines of war.

“We're more than our struggle and pain,” Ayoub told Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Dubai, where she is preparing to raise the Palestinian flag on the international stage. “Right now, our people need a voice and we don't want our identity to be erased,” she added.

With the ongoing 'Israeli' offensive worsening conditions in Gaza, which the United Nations has described as famine-like, Ayoub hopes to humanize Palestinians by showcasing their rich heritage, resilience, and everyday aspirations. “Palestinians are also children who want to live, women who have dreams and aspirations,” she said.

Ayoub splits her time between the West Bank, Jordan, and the UAE, where she founded an organization that trains content creators in sustainability and artificial intelligence. She grew up across the West Bank, the United States, and Canada, earning degrees in English literature and psychology before teaching and working with NGOs in the occupied territories.

“My parents are both academics, and they always told me to focus on my university studies,” she said. But after modeling in Italy, Ayoub was encouraged to explore beauty pageants, leading her to launch a Miss Palestine franchise. “Something as simple as having a Miss Palestine organization is difficult,” she said, citing the logistical and political challenges posed by Palestinians being divided across Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, 'Israel', and abroad.

Despite international recognition of Palestinian statehood by most countries, representation on a global stage remains politically charged. “(Palestine) is a country, it is a nation. I will be representing an actual country,” Ayoub said firmly.

Tensions remain high, with 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting recently that “there will be no Palestinian state,” while new West Bank settlements approved by 'Israel' have drawn international concern. At the same time, several Western countries, including Britain and France, have signaled plans to recognize Palestinian statehood later this month.

Ayoub first won the title in 2022, participating in an online Miss Palestine pageant designed to include Palestinians from the territories, 'Israel', and the diaspora. She also competed in Miss Earth that year and helped lead the pageant’s philanthropic initiatives.

“I will take every opportunity to speak out for my people,” she said. “We must be present on every single international stage. Every single opportunity that we have to talk about Palestine, to show Palestine, we must take it.”