2024-03-31 21:33:04
Riyadh: The flag of Saudi Arabia, with its harsh governance and strict laws for women, will be seen in Miss Universe this time. Saudi Arabia’s beauty queen has created history by entering the Miss Universe contest. 27-year-old Rumi Alqahtani is participating in the Miss Universe pageant to be held in Mexico on September 17. This is the first time that a woman from the Saudi Kingdom will participate in the Miss Universe pageant. Rumi posted on Instagram to reveal her participation as the Kingdom’s first contestant in an international beauty pageant. Rumi wrote in the post, “I have the honor of participating in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. This is Miss Saudi Arabia Kingdom. The universe is the first stake in the competition.” Along with this, he has shared his picture holding the flag of Saudi Arabia. Alqahtani’s stake follows Bahrain’s Lujain Yacoub. Lujain last represented Bahrain at Miss Universe and became the first woman from the Gulf region to do so.
Who is Rumi Alqahtani?
Riyadh-born model and content creator Rumi Alqahtani is considered a milestone in empowering Saudi women. She holds the Miss Saudi Arabia crown. Rumi has previously represented the Kingdom at several international pageants, including Miss Asia in Malaysia, Miss Arab Peace and Miss Europe, Gulf Today reported.
Apart from the Miss Saudi Arabia title, she also holds titles like Miss Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Miss Arab World Peace 2021 and Miss Woman (Saudi Arabia). The Saudi beauty has a bachelor’s degree in dental clinics and is fluent in English, French and Arabic. Rumi has 10 lakh followers on her Instagram page and thousands of followers on other social media platforms too.
Symbol of changing Saudi Arabia
Rumi Alqahtani’s participation in the beauty pageant is part of the Vision 2030 of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, better known as MBS. MBS wants to change the identity of Saudi Arabia from a fundamentalist country to a moderate Muslim country. For this, he has taken decisions against the conservative religious authorities involved in the governance of Saudi Arabia. The decision for MBS includes women being allowed to drive, participate in public events and ceremonies on an equal basis with men, and be given the right to obtain a passport without a male guardian.