A Dubai resident and model, who says she was bullied throughout her childhood due to a skin condition, has been crowned Miss Universe Egypt 2024.
Logina Salah, 34, who suffers from vitiligo, which causes patches of her skin to lose pigment, says she is excited to represent her country at the global Miss Universe competition. Mexico is hosting this year's event, from November 14 to 16, with more than 130 countries set to be represented at the pageant's 73rd outing.
"I am excited to represent Egypt, women with vitiligo, and anyone who has ever felt that they don't belong," she tells The National. "After enduring bullying throughout my childhood because of my skin condition, it took me 15 years to embrace self-love. My mission is to empower those who feel marginalised, letting them know they are not alone and I aspire to make a significant impact on the global Miss Universe stage."
Salah, a single mother, began her career as a make-up artist in Alexandria before becoming a content creator. She was soon noticed for her unique look and confidence, and has since work with top brands including Chanel, Dior Beauty, Hindash, Charlotte Tilbury and Sephora Beauty.
Three years ago, she moved to Dubai with her daughter, 10, to pursue her dreams. She has since appeared on many runways and fashion magazines.
Over the weekend, she beat 12 finalists to the Miss Universe Egypt 2024 title at an event held in Cairo. Streamed live on YouTube, contestants were scored in four segments, which included personal interviews, swimwear round, evening gown round and the final question round.
Josh Yugen, the president and national director of Miss Universe Egypt, says Salah "stole the hearts of the judges and the fans with her charismatic beauty, authentic communication skills and a passionate heart towards her advocacies".
Mohra Tantawy, last year's Miss Universe Egypt, passed her crown to Salah at the event.
"Out of over 130 contestants vying for the Miss Universe crown in Mexico, Logina will stand out as the first representative with a distinct skin condition, having endured bullying during her formative years," Yugen tells The National. "After 15 long years, she has finally come to embrace and love herself completely. I wholeheartedly champion the empowerment of these remarkable women."
Salah is also one of the most-followed contestants on social media, with more than 1.8 million followers on Instagram, according to Yugen. His Dubai company Yugen Group also owns the franchise rights to Miss Universe Bahrain and Miss Universe Pakistan.
This year's Miss Universe competition will be the most historic by far, with the long-running pageant doing away with previous limitations, including age, marital status and body type for all contestants. Last year, for the first time, mothers were also allowed participate.
Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua will crown her successor at the event, set to be held at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City.
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Australia 3 (0) Honduras 1 (0)
Australia: Jedinak (53', 72' pen, 85' pen)
Honduras: Elis (90 4)
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Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Generational responses to the pandemic
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
Race card
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Apple product price list
iPad Pro
11" - $799 (64GB)
12.9" - $999 (64GB)
MacBook Air
$1,199
Mac Mini
$799
