In an Instagram post, Alqahtani expressed her honor at being selected to compete in the Miss Universe 2024 competition. She wrote, “I am honored to participate in the Miss Universe 2024 competition. This is the first participation of Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe competition.”
Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Miss Universe pageant comes amid a series of progressive steps taken by the kingdom in recent years to modernize and diversify its economy. Notably, the country has been actively encouraging tourism, opening its doors to international visitors and unveiling ambitious plans to develop tourism infrastructure and attractions.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia made global headlines in 2018 when it lifted the decades-old ban on women driving, marking a significant milestone in the kingdom’s efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. This historic decision granted women the freedom to obtain driver’s licenses and get behind the wheel, symbolizing a major shift in societal norms.
In addition to these reforms, Saudi Arabia has embarked on various initiatives aimed at fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural development. The kingdom has invested heavily in sectors such as technology and entertainment, hosting high-profile events and conferences to showcase its potential as a hub for creativity and innovation.
Khaleej Times reported that Alqahtani, who hails from Riyadh, is no stranger to the spotlight, having previously competed in various international pageants, including the recent Miss and Mrs Global Asian held in Malaysia.The previous edition of the Miss Universe pageant witnessed Miss Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, being crowned as the winner in 2023. This marked the first time a contestant from Nicaragua had claimed the title, with Antonia Porsild from Thailand and Moraya Wilson from Australia securing the second and third positions, respectively.Organizers had announced last year that the upcoming edition of the pageant would take place in Mexico.
(With agency inputs)
