Rumy Alqahtani, a 27-year-old Riyadh-born model and content creator (and dead ringer for Kim Kardashian), will represent Saudi Arabia at the pageant. “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 posted on her Instagram account.
Independent (h/t Mary C) Alqahtani follows Lujane Yacoub, who represented Bahrain in the Miss Universe pageant last year, becoming the first woman from the Gulf region to do so.
Besides being crowned Miss Saudi Arabia, Alqahtani also holds titles of Miss Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Miss Arab World Peace 2021, and Miss Woman (Saudi Arabia). She has represented Saudi Arabia previously in multiple international pageants, including Miss Asia in Malaysia, Miss Arab Peace, and Miss Europe.
Alqahtani has a Bachelor’s degree in dentistry and is fluent in English, French, and Arabic.
Sorry to report that the Miss Universe pageant last year featured two transgender (biological men) women and plus-size (aka obese) model Jane Dipika from Nepal, marking the first time a plus-sized contestant reached the semi-finals.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud has been behind several changes aimed at bringing social and economic reforms to Saudi Arabia.
Women are permitted to drive, attend public sports events and concerts, and also obtain a passport without the approval of a male guardian. Saudi Arabia has also submitted an official bid for the 2034 Men’s FIFA World Cup, and has hosted several international singers such as BTS, Post Malone, and Mariah Carey, despite criticism that the pop stars were helping whitewash the regime’s human rights violations.
According to the Guardian (11/7/17), ‘This Is a Revolution’: Saudis Absorb Crown Prince’s Rush to Reform: Consolidation of power in Mohammed Bin Salman’s hands has upended all aspects of society, including the previously untouchable Ultra-Elite. Mohammed Bin Salman is confronting some of the kingdom’s richest and most powerful men in his Aati-corruption drive.
The move sidelined at least 20 senior figures, among them outspoken billionaire, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, sending shockwaves through the ranks of the kingdom’s elites, who had long viewed senior royals as immune.
The Crown Prince told the Guardian last month that the kingdom had been “not normal” for the past 30 years and pledged to return Saudi Arabia to moderate Islam.
In his ongoing efforts to de-Islamize his country, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has banned female students from wearing abayas, saying: “Islamic law does not specify that a woman must wear a black abaya or a black head covering…just that she should dress modestly.”
She’ll probably wear a burkini in the swimsuit competition.
I wonder how long it took them to shave her down…
Obviously a man in drag or it would be covered up per law.
what about the bathing suit contest?
You can be sure she won’t be allowed to wear a burqini.
The abaya is not a symbol of piety; it’s a symbol of subservience. I don’t trust MBS despite his outward attempts towards modernization. He has ulterior motives most notably by creating the LIV Golf Tour which is weakening the PGA Tour. However, no matter what we paupers think, Alquahtani certainly is stunning.
Iraq before the Ayatollah, Iraq during the Shah. It can be done. Just block off the Muslim nutjobs and hold honest elections.
It is truly nice to read something positive from the Middle East. We must pray that the crown prince does not meet an early retirement to cemetery.