Palestinian beauty queen Nadeen Ayoub wearing her traditional dress by Hiba Abdelkarim. INSTAGRAM

Dubai-based Palestinian beauty queen Nadeen Ayoub is set to make history as she represents Palestine for the first time at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand on November 21. The 2022 Miss Palestine titleholder and former Miss Earth finalist announced the news on Wednesday (August 13) in a powerful social media post, saying her participation goes beyond pageantry—it is about carrying the voice of her people, especially those enduring the ongoing crisis in Gaza. “I am honored to announce that for the first time ever, Palestine will be represented at Miss Universe,” Ayoub wrote, alongside a photo of herself wearing a traditional Palestinian tatreez-embroidered dress by designer Hiba Abdelkarim. “Today, I step onto the Miss Universe stage not just with a title—but with a truth. 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.” Ayoub has built a reputation as a trailblazer in international pageantry. In 2022, she became the first Palestinian to compete in the Miss Earth pageant, finishing in the top five. She postponed further international competition to focus on humanitarian work in light of the escalating crisis in her homeland. Her chosen attire for the announcement—crafted by Abdelkarim, a designer whose creations have been worn by Jordan’s Queen Rania and other prominent figures—was a nod to Palestinian heritage and craftsmanship. A certified wellness and nutrition coach with a degree in literature and psychology, Ayoub grew up between Palestine, the United States, and Canada. She now splits her time between Dubai and Ramallah in the West Bank. She has used her platform to champion women’s empowerment through Sayidat Falasteen, the philanthropic and media arm of the Miss Palestine Organisation. The initiative highlights the stories of Palestinian women, supports their businesses, and amplifies their impact in both Palestine and the diaspora. Her decision to compete in Miss Universe, she says, is rooted in a mission much bigger than the crown. “I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see,” Ayoub declared. This year’s Miss Universe pageant will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, where Ayoub will join contestants from more than 90 countries in the competition for the coveted crown. ICA/Expat Media
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