Nadin Ayyub, the woman who will appear on the Miss Universe stage as the first Palestinian representative, will raise the Palestinian flag at the November grand event in Thailand.
Nadin said in an interview with AFP in Dubai: "We are not just synonymous with suffering and struggle. At present, my compatriots need a channel to speak out too much. We must not let our identity be erased."
Now that Israel's offensive is becoming more and more fierce, the United Nations has called the current situation in Gaza City a "famine." Against this background, Nading wants to show the world the cultural heritage and unique charm of Palestinians to let people see the true appearance of Palestinians.
She said: "We also have children, they long for life; we also have women, they hold dreams and hopes."
From the classroom to the international stage
Nadin's life trajectory travels between the three cities of Ramallah, Amman and Dubai, spending her childhood in the occupied West Bank, the United States and Canada.
When she was in college, she majored in English literature and psychology, and after graduation she returned to her hometown to become a teacher and devoted herself to work in NGOs.
"My parents are both academics and they have always taught me to focus on my studies." Nading smiled with a warm smile when she talked about her growth.
But life always has unexpected turns. Once at an Italian fashion show, she tried to work as a model. Industry insiders thought she had great potential and suggested that she try beauty pageants.
It was this proposal that led her to the idea of starting the Miss Palestine event.
Nadin said: "In other countries, it's a common thing to have a beauty pageant, but in Palestine, it's a huge challenge."
The challenge she mentioned refers to the current situation of the Palestinians: some live in the occupied West Bank, some are trapped in the blockade of Gaza, some live in the annexed East Jerusalem, and a large number of people have become refugees from neighboring countries, or are scattered abroad and in Israel.
Although most countries recognize Palestine's national status, some countries still do not recognize it, which also makes people like Nading represent the motherland on the international stage a silent struggle.
"Palestine is a country, a real nation, and what I want to represent is such a real country." She emphasized.
"Show the true face of Palestine"
In 2022, the first "Ms. Palestine" beauty pageant was held online, allowing Palestinian women scattered around the world to participate. Nading became the first champion and represented Palestine in the "Miss Earth" competition focusing on environmental themes.
She has suspended all beauty pageants since the outbreak of the Gaza War in October 2023. The war began with Hamas' attack on Israel, killing 1,219 people, most of whom were civilians.
Israel's retaliatory military operations resulted in the deaths of at least 64,756 Palestinians, most of whom were civilians. The United Nations confirmed that the data came from the health sector in Gaza and had high credibility.
Nadin said that whether it is beauty pageants or other international activities, she will seize every opportunity to speak out for her people.
"We must appear on every international stage. Every opportunity that allows us to tell Palestine, every opportunity that allows us to show Palestine, we must firmly grasp it."
