Sunday September 22, 2024
Khadija Omar, Miss Universe Somalia 2024, in an elegant blue gown and matching hijab. Omar is set to make history as the first hijabi contestant to represent Somalia on the global Miss Universe stage. (Photo: Miss World Somalia)
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia will make its debut at the Miss Universe pageant in 2024, with Khadija Omar becoming the first-ever Miss Universe Somalia and the first hijabi woman to represent her country on the global stage. Omar, 23, will compete at the 73rd Miss Universe competition, which is set to take place in Mexico this November.
Omar’s participation is a milestone for both Somalia and the global Muslim community, as she challenges traditional beauty norms by competing while wearing a hijab. Her story resonates with many, especially young women from marginalized communities who rarely see themselves represented in international forums. Born in the Hagadera refugee camp in Kenya, Omar and her family emigrated to Canada in 2010, where she navigated the cultural challenges of diaspora life while staying connected to her Somali roots.
Omar’s presence in Miss Universe draws comparisons to Halima Aden, the Somali-American fashion model who was the first woman to wear a hijab in the Miss Minnesota USA 2016 pageant, where she was a semi-finalist. Like Aden, Omar is breaking barriers for Muslim women in beauty pageants, advocating for inclusivity and diversity.
In 2022, Omar made headlines when she reached the Top 13 in the Miss World competition, scoring a historic moment for Somali representation in global pageants. She is now poised to make history again as Somalia’s first Miss Universe contestant, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry.
Beyond the pageantry, Omar is committed to using her platform for advocacy. She is passionate about raising awareness of refugee issues and women’s rights, drawing from her own experiences as a refugee.
“For me, being Miss Universe Somalia 2024 is more than just a title — it’s a platform to advocate for important social issues,” Omar wrote in a recent social media post. “I want to represent women who have been told they don’t belong, and I want to show that beauty comes in many forms.”