Fashion design student Manar Nadeem Deyani, 25, will make history next week when she becomes the first beauty queen from Bahrain to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant.
A Dubai resident, Deyani was named on Monday night as her country's representative at the global pageant, the winner for which will be crowned on December 12 in Eilat, Israel.
"I may be the shortest candidate in the history of Miss Universe, but I stand tall representing a country of love, peace and kindness – your first ever Miss Universe Bahrain," the 155cm tall Deyani posted on Instagram, announcing her participation.
"We are honoured to appoint an empowering woman like Manar 'Jess' Deyani who embodies the grace, passion and inspiration of a modern and respectful queen," a spokesperson for Miss Universe Bahrain told The National.
"Manar, also known as Jess, wants to raise awareness on issues like mental health, equality and inclusivity by using her platform to inspire many people to be more comfortable on their own skin and to show that beauty standards are here to be changed," Deyani's description on the Miss Universe website reads.
"Nowadays people have a concept of what a beauty queen is, but she is here on the international stage as the first Bahraini representative to show the we are a generation that breaks stereotype."
A student at the American University in the Emirates, Deyani tells The National she is "excited for this opportunity".
"I cannot wait to represent Bahraini women in a platform that empowers women and promotes global understanding," she says.
The aspiring fashion designer, who says she suffers from a disorder that causes anxiety and depression, says she will use her title and the global platform to raise awareness about the negative stigmas associated with mental health.
"A lot of people are suffering from it in their daily lives, but are ashamed of asking help just because they do not want to be identified as someone ‘insane’. This has to change, we need to normalise the discussion about mental health. It is a disease that doesn’t show any symptoms," she says.
"I am currently using my social media platform to connect with people who suffer from the same challenges and I hope with my new title as Miss Universe Bahrain, I will be able to expand my reach and impact to create a world that truly understands the mental health issues."
Israeli authorities on Sunday said the Miss Universe pageant would go ahead as scheduled, despite a travel ban on foreigners in an effort to stave off the Omicron coronavirus variant. Participants would be granted waivers while undergoing PCR testing every 48 hours, along with other precautionary measures, the country's tourism minister said.
On Monday, organisers revealed a contestant had tested positive upon arrival and was taken to a government-run isolation hotel. The Miss Universe Organisation did not identify the contestant who tested positive, or her nationality, but said most of the 80 contestants have arrived ahead of the finals next week.
In another first, the UAE is also expected to send a delegate this year.
To those who think beauty pageants are outdated, Deyani says it's all about perspective.
"I am a modern Bahraini woman who has a globalised mindset while celebrating my rich heritage and culture. I think pageants are a great platform to celebrate our differences and unite as a one," she says. "I see pageants as a conference, but done is a very fashionable way where we learn from each other, share knowledge and interact with like-minded people."
Scroll through the gallery below for pictures of reigning Miss Universe Andrea Meza touring Jerusalem's Old City:
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Miss Universe Andrea Meza from Mexico is backdropped by the Western Wall and Al Aqsa Mosque during a tour in Jerusalem's Old City. EPA -
Meza is visiting Israel ahead of the 70th Miss Universe contest that will be held in Eilat city at the Red Sea resort on December 12. EPA -
The pageant is in the spotlight for being held in Israel amid boycott calls in solidarity with Palestinians. EPA -
Meza passes security as she visits the Western Wall during a tour in Jerusalem's Old City. EPA -
Meza, 27, was crowned Miss Universe in May, during a Covid-delayed ceremony in Florida. EPA -
Meza at the Western Wall. EPA -
Meza said the long-running beauty pageant shouldn't be politicised. EPA -
Meza visits the Jesus Tomb inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA -
Meza prays at the Stone of the Anointing as she visits the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA -
Outside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA -
The stone slab is traditionally believed to be the stone where Jesus's body was prepared for burial. AP -
Meza inside Jesus Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. EPA -
Meza wore a flowing, full-length dress with flat sandals as she toured the Old City. AP -
Meza meandered through the mostly empty cobblestoned alleyways of the Old City, stopping to peek into shops as a media scrum followed. AP -
Meza, who is a software engineer, said she was "just a girl", from a small town in Mexico who was not a "perfect and flawless" beauty queen. AP -
Meza said she had worked hard to become Miss Universe and that the competition wasn't only about parading women in bikinis, but also about testing their intelligence. AP -
Asked if she could offer a solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, Meza said she didn't believe in violence and that communication was key. AFP -
The Miss Universe pageant is also expected to draw contestants from Morocco and the UAE, which recently normalised ties with Israel. AFP -
Meza checks out shops in the Old City. AFP -
Meza by the entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters -
Miss Universe's visit to Old City was part of the preparation for Israel hosting Miss Universe 2021 on December 12. Reuters -
Israel's Tourism Ministry hosted Meza's trip to the Old City. Reuters
