- Rumy Alqahtani, a Saudi Arabian woman, will represent her country in the 2024 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, marking a historic milestone.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has initiated significant reforms, marking a significant milestone in the country’s progress towards greater inclusivity and openness.
- Saudi Arabia’s 27-year-old Alqahtani expressed her excitement and gratitude on Instagram for the opportunity to make her historic debut at the beauty pageant.
Rumy Alqahtani, a Saudi Arabian woman, will compete in the 2024 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, making her the first Saudi contestant to do so.
This major event is a watershed moment in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s reform efforts, highlighting the country’s progress towards greater inclusivity and openness.
The 27-year-old Riyadh native Alqahtani expressed her joy and thanks for the opportunity on Instagram, emphasising the significance of Saudi Arabia’s historic debut in the beauty pageant.
With this declaration, Alqahtani follows in the footsteps of Bahrain’s Lujane Yacoub, who competed in the previous year’s Miss Universe competition, becoming the first participant from the conservative Gulf region.
The upcoming Miss Universe pageant, which will take place in Mexico on September 18, will also mark Iran’s debut.
Alqahtani has a Bachelor’s degree in dentistry and speaks English, French, and Arabic, according to The Independent.
She has won numerous pageant achievements, including Miss Saudi Arabia, Miss Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Miss Arab World Peace 2021, and Miss Woman (Saudi Arabia). She has also competed in other worldwide pageants, the most recent being Miss and Mrs. worldwide Asian in Malaysia in February.
However, the announcement of her participation has provoked fury and open criticism among conservative Muslims, notably those in Nigeria.
Reacting to the post…
@mpiredivine: Well, not surprising, their laws are easing up towards Women and more of this will happen going forward..
@promoting_naija: But our own Muslims in Nigeria will frown against this, saying it’s against Islam.
@wahalaMann: Northerners Nigeria left the group chat.
@FocuzIsaac: Saudi allowed her to dress like that? Ronaldo’s influence is massive .
@Homiebishop:Muslim don dey fold