Somalia debuts in Miss Universe with Khadija Omar, the first-ever hijabi contestant to represent the country on the global stage.
Khadija Omar is rewriting history. At just 23, she’s become the first-ever Miss Universe Somalia, poised to represent her country in a groundbreaking way at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. What sets her apart? Omar will be the first hijabi contestant to compete, making her presence not just a personal victory, but a milestone for Muslim women worldwide.
Her journey is nothing short of remarkable. Born in the Hagadera refugee camp in Kenya, Omar’s life has been a testament to resilience and determination. When her family moved to Canada in 2010, she straddled the delicate balance of preserving her Somali roots while navigating life in a new country. Now, she’s breaking down barriers and redefining beauty standards on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.
Omar’s hijab is more than a cultural marker; it’s a statement of inclusivity. She stands shoulder-to-shoulder with pioneers like Halima Aden, the Somali-American model who made waves in 2016 as the first hijabi contestant in Miss Minnesota USA. But this time, it’s the global Miss Universe platform, and Omar is showing the world that beauty isn’t confined to one mold.
This isn’t Omar’s first time making headlines. In 2022, she reached the Top 13 in the Miss World competition, another historic achievement for Somali representation. Now, as Somalia makes its Miss Universe debut, Omar is determined to carry the torch for marginalized communities and use her platform to advocate for the causes closest to her heart.
“For me, being Miss Universe Somalia 2024 is more than just a title — it’s a platform to advocate for important social issues,” Omar recently shared on social media. Passionate about refugee rights and women’s empowerment, she’s using her own experience as a refugee to amplify the voices of those too often silenced.
Khadija Omar isn’t just competing for a crown—she’s competing to change perceptions, one stage at a time. And with her bold statement that beauty comes in many forms, she’s not just representing Somalia; she’s representing every woman who’s been told she doesn’t belong.
