Historic First: Palestine Joins Miss Universe Middle East Lineup

A historic moment awaits the Middle East beauty pageant scene as Nadeen Ayoub gets ready to become the first contestant that ever represented Palestine at Miss Universe. The 74th Miss Universe final will welcome Palestinian participation among more than 130 countries and territories when it takes place in Bangkok, Thailand on November 21, 2025.

Nadeen Ayoub earned her crown as Miss Palestine in 2022 and brings her expertise as a certified health and nutrition coach to the competition. The 27-year-old’s groundbreaking debut comes at a crucial time for Middle Eastern representation at Miss Universe. The pageant organization keeps growing globally and ranks as one of the most accessible beauty competitions to more people worldwide, drawing contestants from more than 80 countries. This milestone becomes even more meaningful as Iraq makes its much-anticipated return to the prestigious event.

Miss Universe Organization Confirms Palestine’s Entry

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Miss Universe Organization made history by announcing Palestine’s inclusion in the 2025 pageant lineup. This addition strengthens the Middle East’s representation at the event. Palestinian participation came after years of diplomatic work in international cultural events.

“We are proud to welcome Palestine to our global sisterhood,” stated the organization’s spokesperson in an official press release. The pageant showcases its steadfast dedication to geographical representation and cultural diversity from regions worldwide, particularly the Middle East.

Palestine completed a thorough application process starting early 2024. The process required national pageant credential verification and administrative approvals. This milestone amplifies Palestine’s presence on the global stage.

Miss Universe Organization has expanded its reach steadily. Many new nations have joined the competition. The Middle East contingent now features more countries than ever in the pageant’s 74-year history.

Palestinian Cultural Ministry officials celebrated this achievement beyond its pageant significance. National directors have gathered in Bangkok to plan logistics and programming for the November event, as Miss Universe 2025 preparations continue.

Palestine Makes Historic Debut Amid Regional Tensions

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Nadeen Ayoub made a groundbreaking appearance at the Universe Middle East stage amid profound regional challenges. She had planned to compete after her Miss Earth participation in 2022, but chose to postpone her Miss Universe pageant trip. “I postponed it because I did not want to go when genocide was happening. I wanted to focus more on staying behind the scenes because the spotlight was supposed to be on the people in Palestine who are suffering, rather than me,” she explained.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports at least 62,004 deaths in Gaza since October 2023 as the conflict continues. More than 145 nations now call for international recognition of a Palestinian state. Australia, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom announced plans to recognize Palestine.

Living between Dubai and Ramallah, Ayoub believes her participation matters deeply despite these circumstances. “Our voices need to be heard, especially those of women and children, along with their dreams and talents. We are more than our suffering and more than the headlines, and it’s so important to show this. It’s part of our resilience, part of our story,” she asserts.

Ayoub wants to use her Miss Universe Middle East platform to highlight Palestinian identity beyond conflict. “Our identity is our culture, our history, our personalities, our fashion, our embroidery, our food, our heritage”.

Delegates and Contestants Reflect Broader Diversity

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“Miss Universe is a huge platform, and there’s a big responsibility in speaking out about what’s happening in Gaza. No one should be silent about the injustice that’s happening.” — Nadeen Ayoub, First Miss Universe Palestine; model and activist

The 2025 Miss Universe pageant marks a milestone for Middle Eastern representation with Palestine’s historic debut. Saudi Arabia joins Palestine as a first-time participant, while Iraq makes a comeback after eight years.

Houston-based entrepreneur Hanin Al Qoreishy represents Iraq at age 27. Her platform champions child refugees’ rights, drawing from her personal journey of immigrating at age 12. Al Qoreishy’s recent achievements include winning Miss Grand Nevada 2024.

Sahar Biniaz, Miss Universe Persia’s representative, brings unique experience to the competition. The 40-year-old Canadian won Miss Universe Canada in 2012 but couldn’t compete internationally due to an injury. “I stand for the woman who has endured restrictions but never surrendered,” Biniaz declared after her selection.

Miss Universe Organization’s growing inclusivity welcomes back five nations. Kosovo, Panama, Slovenia, South Africa, and Iraq return to the competition after taking breaks of varying lengths.

Ayoub exemplifies this diverse representation through her multifaceted background. A certified wellness coach with literature and psychology degrees, she taught at Ramallah’s Friends School and dedicated time to humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

These contestants embody Miss Universe Organization’s mission to unite “women from various backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities, promoting unity and understanding”. Their participation shows the pageant’s evolution in embracing women’s diverse professional achievements, advocacy work, and life stories.

Nadeen Ayoub made history as the first Miss Universe Palestine, and her achievement goes way beyond a beauty pageant milestone. She represents Palestinian resilience at a time of major regional conflict. Her message shows that Palestinian identity is not just about suffering – it celebrates rich cultural heritage, traditions, and talents.

This historic moment comes as the Miss Universe pageant welcomes new faces from the Middle East. Saudi Arabia joins for the first time with Palestine, and Iraq returns to compete after eight years. These changes show how the pageant welcomes diverse voices on its global platform.

Palestine’s participation means much more than just competing. The Gaza conflict delayed Ayoub’s participation, but she ended up competing because “our voices need to be heard.” Her choice reflects the growing support for Palestinian statehood from many countries worldwide.

The 2025 Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok proves that international cultural events create opportunities for representation and cultural exchange. Contestants like Ayoub show how pageantry has changed by a lot – these women showcase their professional achievements, advocacy work, and life experiences on stage. Palestine’s historic debut among more than 130 nations marks a defining moment for Middle Eastern representation in global pageantry.

Regional politics may be complex, but Palestine’s first appearance at Miss Universe shows the impact of cultural participation globally. Ayoub’s experience reminds everyone that representation matters, especially when it helps people see beyond their current situation.