In a historic move, Saudi Arabia will make its debut in the upcoming Miss Universe 2024 pageant.
Rumy Alqahtani, a 27-year-old model and content creator from Riyadh, will represent Saudi Arabia on the global stage.
Expressing her gratitude, Alqahtani shared on her Instagram, “I am honoured to participate in the Miss Universe 2024 competition. This marks the first participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe pageant.”
Alqahtani follows in the footsteps of Lujane Yacoub, who represented Bahrain in last year’s Miss Universe pageant, making her the first woman from the Gulf region to do so.
This year’s Miss Universe pageant is scheduled to take place in Mexico and will also witness Iran’s debut.
Apart from being crowned Miss Saudi Arabia, Alqahtani holds titles such as Miss Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Miss Arab World Peace 2021, and Miss Woman (Saudi Arabia). She has previously represented Saudi Arabia in various international pageants, including Miss Asia in Malaysia, Miss Arab Peace, and Miss Europe.
Alqahtani, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in dentistry, is fluent in English, French, and Arabic.
Last year’s Miss Universe pageant made headlines for featuring two transgender women and plus-size model Jane Dipika from Nepal, marking the first time a plus-sized contestant reached the semi-finals.
Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was crowned Miss Universe 2023, marking the country’s first win at the prestigious pageant.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, has been instrumental in driving social and economic reforms in the kingdom. Initiatives such as allowing women to drive, attend public events, and obtain passports without male guardianship reflect the country’s evolving stance on gender equality.
Despite facing criticism for alleged human rights violations, Saudi Arabia has been actively engaging in global events, including bidding for the 2034 Men’s FIFA World Cup and hosting international artists like BTS, Post Malone, and Mariah Carey.
However, some figures, like tennis star Andy Murray, have declined opportunities in Saudi Arabia due to concerns over human rights abuses.
In response to growing scrutiny, organizations like Amnesty International have urged FIFA to ensure commitments to improving human rights in countries hosting future World Cups.
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