Saudi Arabia Softening Ultra Conservative Image? Kingdom Likely To Participate In Miss Universe Pageant

saudi arabia softening ultra conservative image? kingdom likely to participate in miss universe pageant

In a potential historic move, Saudi Arabia is on the brink of sending its first-ever contestant to the prestigious Miss Universe pageant. Should it materialise, this milestone would represent yet another stride in Saudi Arabia’s campaign to reshape its traditionally ultra-conservative image. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto leader, is actively seeking to attract tourists and investors, and this potential development aligns with those efforts.

Organizers have revealed that they are in the final stages of selecting a candidate to represent the kingdom on the global stage, news agency AFP reported.

Maria Jose Unda, coordinator of international relations for the Miss Universe Organization, stated to AFP, “We’ll have a decision on the National Director for Saudi Arabia very, very soon.” Unda said that the rigorous vetting process was underway, with the possibility of Saudi Arabia making its debut at the next edition of the competition slated for September in Mexico.

The anticipation was sparked by Saudi model Rumy al-Qahtani, who caused a stir online in late March by announcing her purported selection as the representative for Saudi Arabia at Miss Universe. However, Miss Universe swiftly dismissed Qahtani’s claim, labelling it as “false and misleading.”

Qahtani, a 27-year-old native of Riyadh, remains optimistic despite the setback. In her first interview since her viral Instagram post, she revealed, “I have been contacted from the Miss Universe committee to represent Saudi Arabia. Negotiations started but it was during the month of Ramadan and I wasn’t able to respond.” She expressed hope for a positive outcome from the ongoing negotiations.

Addressing the selection process, Unda clarified that regardless of Qahtani’s announcement, she would need to participate in the Saudi Arabia pageant like any other candidate. This procedure involves a national director organizing a competition to choose the official delegate for the Miss Universe event.

Qahtani’s journey to potentially represent her country has not been without challenges. She recounted facing unexpected inquiries about Saudi Arabia, including one instance where she was asked if she stored barrels of crude oil in her home. Despite facing criticism, particularly for her attire and social media presence, Qahtani remains resolute. “Many sports supporters picture themselves with the flag the same way I did,” she stated, defending her actions.

Fawzia Ayed, Qahtani’s mother, expressed her support, saying, “Rumy has encouraged a lot of girls. I see that many contact her and ask her how she has reached this level, and that they would like also to participate.”

As Saudi Arabia navigates its path towards potential inclusion in the Miss Universe pageant, the development reflects the kingdom’s evolving stance on societal norms and its aspirations for broader global engagement.