Palestine Makes First Appearance In Miss Universe 2025, Prints New History

Nadeen Ayoub Miss Palestine (Photo: Instagram/@elle_arabia)

JAKARTA - For the first time in history, Palestine will have representatives at the Miss Universe 2025 event. Nadeen Ayoub, the finalist of Miss Earth who now lives in Dubai, was chosen to represent her country in this prestigious beauty competition.

This year's Miss Universe event, which has entered its 74th edition, will be held at Pak Kret, a city in central Thailand, on November 21, 2025.

Nadeen Ayoub, who divided his time between Dubai and Ramallah in the West Bank, was crowned Miss Palestine in 2022. At that time, he made history as the first representative of his country to compete in Miss Earth and make it into the top five.

Ayoub revealed that he had postponed participation in international events due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

"I am proud to tread this path, especially in times like now, when we all need to be a voice for Palestine," he said, quoted from The National page.

"I am honored to have this platform and want to use it to help my people, especially those who suffer from Gaza and Palestine every day," he continued.

The announcement of his participation in Miss Universe was made by Ayoub via social media last Wednesday. In the upload, he wore a traditional dress with the sulamantatreezkarya of Palestinian designer Hiba Abdelkarim, whose work has also been used by well-known figures such as Queen Rania from Jordan.

Ayoub's decision to join Miss Universe was driven by her mission to humanize Palestinians and challenge global stereotypes.

"I want to show the world of Palestinian women not only tough and beautiful, but also leaders, innovators, and carriers of change," he said.

In addition to his title in the world of beauty contests, Ayoub is a fitness and nutrition trainer certified with titles in literature and psychology. He grew up in Palestine, the US, and Canada.

Since being crowned in 2022, she has been actively managing Sayidat Falastteen, a philanthropic platform and media from the Miss Palestine Organization that aims to raise the story of Palestinian women, support their business, and present contributions in their country.

Ayoub also founded the Olivia Green Academy, an initiative that promotes sustainability through training and educational programs. Through this academy, she helps Palestinian women get education in environmental advocacy and digital media to develop sustainable business and become climate ambassadors.

"When Palestine continues to experience grief, especially in Gaza, I carry the voices of the people who refuse to be silenced," he wrote on social media.

"I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see. We are more than just suffering. We are the resilience, hope, and heartbeat of the country that lives through us."