Miss Palestine to compete in Miss Universe pageant for the first time
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) said in a statement sent to CNN on Sunday that it was 'pleased to confirm' that Ayoub would represent Palestine at 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,' the statement reads.
'Ms Ayoub, an accomplished advocate and model from Palestine, embodies the resilience and determination that define our platform.'
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.
'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.
Ayoub, now 27, was crowned Miss Palestine back in 2022, according to Abu Dhabi-based news outlet The National.
Posting on Instagram on Thursday, Ayoub said she wanted to be a voice for the Palestinian people.
'I am honoured 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.
'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 war in Gaza.
At least 62,004 people have been killed in the strip since the start of the conflict in October 2023, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a statement published Monday.
Authorities in Gaza do not distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters when reporting casualty figures, but the health ministry and the United Nations say the majority of deaths are women and children.
As the war continues, 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Paul Weller sues after being dropped by accountants
Paul Weller is suing his former accountants after they stopped working with the British singer because they were offended by comments he made alleging Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. The former frontman of The Jam has filed a discrimination claim against Harris and Trotter after the firm ended their professional relationship after more than 30 years. In a pre-action letter seen by the PA news agency, lawyers for Weller say the singer-songwriter was told in March that the accountants and tax advisers would no longer work with the 67-year-old or his companies. Weller is also performing a sold out "Gig For Gaza" in London with other musicians in October. According to the letter, a WhatsApp message from a partner at the firm included the reason for severing the relationship. "It's well known what your political views are in relation to Israel, the Palestinians and Gaza, but we as a firm are offended at the assertions that Israel is committing any type of genocide," it said. "Everyone is entitled to their own views, but you are alleging such anti-Israel views that we as a firm with Jewish roots and many Jewish partners are not prepared to work with someone who holds these views." Lawyers for Weller say that by ending their services, the firm unlawfully discriminated against the singer's protected philosophical beliefs, including that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Palestine should be recognised as a nation state. Weller said he had 'always spoken out against injustice, whether it's apartheid, ethnic cleansing, or genocide". "What's happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe," he said. "I believe they have the right to self-determination, dignity, and protection under international law, and I believe Israel is committing genocide against them. That must be called out. "Silencing those who speak this truth is not just censorship - it's complicity. "I'm taking legal action not just for myself, but to help ensure that others are not similarly punished for expressing their beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people." Weller will donate any damages he receives to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, the legal letter says. Weller's lawyer Cormac McDonough, says the case "reflects a wider pattern of attempts to silence artists and public figures who speak out in support of Palestinian rights". "Within the music industry especially, we are seeing increasing efforts to marginalise those who express solidarity with the people of Gaza," he said. Paul Weller is suing his former accountants after they stopped working with the British singer because they were offended by comments he made alleging Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. The former frontman of The Jam has filed a discrimination claim against Harris and Trotter after the firm ended their professional relationship after more than 30 years. In a pre-action letter seen by the PA news agency, lawyers for Weller say the singer-songwriter was told in March that the accountants and tax advisers would no longer work with the 67-year-old or his companies. Weller is also performing a sold out "Gig For Gaza" in London with other musicians in October. According to the letter, a WhatsApp message from a partner at the firm included the reason for severing the relationship. "It's well known what your political views are in relation to Israel, the Palestinians and Gaza, but we as a firm are offended at the assertions that Israel is committing any type of genocide," it said. "Everyone is entitled to their own views, but you are alleging such anti-Israel views that we as a firm with Jewish roots and many Jewish partners are not prepared to work with someone who holds these views." Lawyers for Weller say that by ending their services, the firm unlawfully discriminated against the singer's protected philosophical beliefs, including that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Palestine should be recognised as a nation state. Weller said he had 'always spoken out against injustice, whether it's apartheid, ethnic cleansing, or genocide". "What's happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe," he said. "I believe they have the right to self-determination, dignity, and protection under international law, and I believe Israel is committing genocide against them. That must be called out. "Silencing those who speak this truth is not just censorship - it's complicity. "I'm taking legal action not just for myself, but to help ensure that others are not similarly punished for expressing their beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people." Weller will donate any damages he receives to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, the legal letter says. Weller's lawyer Cormac McDonough, says the case "reflects a wider pattern of attempts to silence artists and public figures who speak out in support of Palestinian rights". "Within the music industry especially, we are seeing increasing efforts to marginalise those who express solidarity with the people of Gaza," he said. Paul Weller is suing his former accountants after they stopped working with the British singer because they were offended by comments he made alleging Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. The former frontman of The Jam has filed a discrimination claim against Harris and Trotter after the firm ended their professional relationship after more than 30 years. In a pre-action letter seen by the PA news agency, lawyers for Weller say the singer-songwriter was told in March that the accountants and tax advisers would no longer work with the 67-year-old or his companies. Weller is also performing a sold out "Gig For Gaza" in London with other musicians in October. According to the letter, a WhatsApp message from a partner at the firm included the reason for severing the relationship. "It's well known what your political views are in relation to Israel, the Palestinians and Gaza, but we as a firm are offended at the assertions that Israel is committing any type of genocide," it said. "Everyone is entitled to their own views, but you are alleging such anti-Israel views that we as a firm with Jewish roots and many Jewish partners are not prepared to work with someone who holds these views." Lawyers for Weller say that by ending their services, the firm unlawfully discriminated against the singer's protected philosophical beliefs, including that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Palestine should be recognised as a nation state. Weller said he had 'always spoken out against injustice, whether it's apartheid, ethnic cleansing, or genocide". "What's happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe," he said. "I believe they have the right to self-determination, dignity, and protection under international law, and I believe Israel is committing genocide against them. That must be called out. "Silencing those who speak this truth is not just censorship - it's complicity. "I'm taking legal action not just for myself, but to help ensure that others are not similarly punished for expressing their beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people." Weller will donate any damages he receives to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, the legal letter says. Weller's lawyer Cormac McDonough, says the case "reflects a wider pattern of attempts to silence artists and public figures who speak out in support of Palestinian rights". "Within the music industry especially, we are seeing increasing efforts to marginalise those who express solidarity with the people of Gaza," he said. Paul Weller is suing his former accountants after they stopped working with the British singer because they were offended by comments he made alleging Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. The former frontman of The Jam has filed a discrimination claim against Harris and Trotter after the firm ended their professional relationship after more than 30 years. In a pre-action letter seen by the PA news agency, lawyers for Weller say the singer-songwriter was told in March that the accountants and tax advisers would no longer work with the 67-year-old or his companies. Weller is also performing a sold out "Gig For Gaza" in London with other musicians in October. According to the letter, a WhatsApp message from a partner at the firm included the reason for severing the relationship. "It's well known what your political views are in relation to Israel, the Palestinians and Gaza, but we as a firm are offended at the assertions that Israel is committing any type of genocide," it said. "Everyone is entitled to their own views, but you are alleging such anti-Israel views that we as a firm with Jewish roots and many Jewish partners are not prepared to work with someone who holds these views." Lawyers for Weller say that by ending their services, the firm unlawfully discriminated against the singer's protected philosophical beliefs, including that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Palestine should be recognised as a nation state. Weller said he had 'always spoken out against injustice, whether it's apartheid, ethnic cleansing, or genocide". "What's happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe," he said. "I believe they have the right to self-determination, dignity, and protection under international law, and I believe Israel is committing genocide against them. That must be called out. "Silencing those who speak this truth is not just censorship - it's complicity. "I'm taking legal action not just for myself, but to help ensure that others are not similarly punished for expressing their beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people." Weller will donate any damages he receives to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, the legal letter says. Weller's lawyer Cormac McDonough, says the case "reflects a wider pattern of attempts to silence artists and public figures who speak out in support of Palestinian rights". "Within the music industry especially, we are seeing increasing efforts to marginalise those who express solidarity with the people of Gaza," he said.
Perth Now
16 hours ago
- Perth Now
Paul Weller sues after being dropped by accountants
Paul Weller is suing his former accountants after they stopped working with the British singer because they were offended by comments he made alleging Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. The former frontman of The Jam has filed a discrimination claim against Harris and Trotter after the firm ended their professional relationship after more than 30 years. In a pre-action letter seen by the PA news agency, lawyers for Weller say the singer-songwriter was told in March that the accountants and tax advisers would no longer work with the 67-year-old or his companies. Weller is also performing a sold out "Gig For Gaza" in London with other musicians in October. According to the letter, a WhatsApp message from a partner at the firm included the reason for severing the relationship. "It's well known what your political views are in relation to Israel, the Palestinians and Gaza, but we as a firm are offended at the assertions that Israel is committing any type of genocide," it said. "Everyone is entitled to their own views, but you are alleging such anti-Israel views that we as a firm with Jewish roots and many Jewish partners are not prepared to work with someone who holds these views." Lawyers for Weller say that by ending their services, the firm unlawfully discriminated against the singer's protected philosophical beliefs, including that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Palestine should be recognised as a nation state. Weller said he had 'always spoken out against injustice, whether it's apartheid, ethnic cleansing, or genocide". "What's happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza is a humanitarian catastrophe," he said. "I believe they have the right to self-determination, dignity, and protection under international law, and I believe Israel is committing genocide against them. That must be called out. "Silencing those who speak this truth is not just censorship - it's complicity. "I'm taking legal action not just for myself, but to help ensure that others are not similarly punished for expressing their beliefs about the rights of the Palestinian people." Weller will donate any damages he receives to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, the legal letter says. Weller's lawyer Cormac McDonough, says the case "reflects a wider pattern of attempts to silence artists and public figures who speak out in support of Palestinian rights". "Within the music industry especially, we are seeing increasing efforts to marginalise those who express solidarity with the people of Gaza," he said.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Miss Palestine to compete in Miss Universe pageant for the first time
Beauty queen Nadeen Ayoub will become the first woman to represent Palestine at the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) said in a statement sent to CNN on Sunday that it was 'pleased to confirm' that Ayoub would represent Palestine at 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,' the statement reads. 'Ms Ayoub, an accomplished advocate and model from Palestine, embodies the resilience and determination that define our platform.' 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. '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. Ayoub, now 27, was crowned Miss Palestine back in 2022, according to Abu Dhabi-based news outlet The National. Nadeen Ayoub, right, will represent Palestine at the Miss Universe beauty pageant in November. Credit: Francis R Malasig / EPA Posting on Instagram on Thursday, Ayoub said she wanted to be a voice for the Palestinian people. 'I am honoured 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. '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 war in Gaza. At least 62,004 people have been killed in the strip since the start of the conflict in October 2023, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a statement published Monday. Authorities in Gaza do not distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters when reporting casualty figures, but the health ministry and the United Nations say the majority of deaths are women and children. As the war continues, 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.
