Iraq Elects Beauty Queen After 43 Years

In a week that saw controversy surrounding the selection of Miss Universe, Iraq has chosen its beauty queen after a 43-year hiatus. The competition saw the number of candidates reduced from about 210 to 10. According to CNN, the women competing for the title faced death threats on Facebook. The director of the competition stated that Iraq needs this event; 'The situation here is not good, but we need to do what people in Lebanon and elsewhere are doing to feel that things are normal.' While beauty queens in other countries face threats from their rivals, the contestants in Iraq faced threats to their lives from Facebook users. Ultimately, 20-year-old Sheema Qasim Abdulrahman, an economics student from Kirkuk University, was crowned Miss Iraq after 43 years. The director of the event noted that in Iraq, this election is more than just choosing a beautiful girl; it signifies the courage to stand against all hardships, something everyone strives for. Abdulrahman expressed her desire to use her fame to promote education, especially in war-torn areas. This selection means that Iraq can now send a representative to the Miss Universe pageant next year. The artistic director of the competition told the Independent, 'We want the voice of Iraq to be heard. That we are alive and our hearts still beat.' The Miss Universe pageant is organized by the Miss Universe Organization, based in New York, and has a 63-year tradition, being one of the most-watched television programs worldwide.