Despite the ongoing war and destruction in Gaza, Palestinians living outside the enclave continue to hold on to their dreams and hopes.
Nadine Ayoub has become the first Palestinian to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. She says she wants to send a message to the world that Palestinians are not only people who endure suffering, but also have their own aspirations, ambitions and a strong identity.
According to Al Arabiya, despite more than 23 months of war in Gaza, the 27-year-old Nadine is preparing for the first time to wear the title of “Miss Palestine” at the November competition in Thailand — the first such appearance in the event’s history.
Speaking to AFP, Ayoub stressed that Palestinians are not defined only by struggle and hardship: “Our children want to live, and our women have dreams and ambitions.” She said her participation is meant to highlight “the beauty of our land, the richness of our cultural heritage, and above all the humanity of our people.”
The determined young woman explained that she grew up in the West Bank, the United States and Canada, and now lives between Ramallah, Amman and Dubai.
Her parents were teachers, she said, and encouraged her to focus on education. Ayoub earned degrees in English literature and psychology, taught in Palestinian areas and worked with humanitarian organizations before receiving an invitation to participate in a fashion show in Italy — an experience that sparked her interest in pageantry.
Experts then encouraged her to enter international competitions, leading to the creation of the national “Miss Palestine” chapter.
The contest was first held online in 2022 to allow broader representation, since about half of all Palestinians live abroad and the rest in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.
After winning her first title, Ayoub engaged in charity work and competed in the 2022 “Miss Earth” pageant. She did not participate in “Miss Universe” the following year because war erupted in Gaza on 7 October 2023.
