First-ever ‘Miss Palestine’ secures spot in top 30 competing for Miss Universe title
Miss Palestine Nadeen Ayoub competes in the Miss Universe pageant’s swimsuit competition during a preliminary pageant. @misspalestine_org/Instagram
Nadeen Ayoub, the first-ever contestant representing Palestine at Miss Universe, advanced to the competition’s final 30 contestants, surviving the latest elimination round hours after reports surfaced of her secret marriage to the son of a convicted terrorist.
Ayoub spent recent days competing in preliminary rounds to qualify for the final stage of the pageant, earning enough points and support to continue her pursuit of the prestigious international title. The top 30 announcement came shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday, marking the start of the final phase of the competition, which will ultimately crown one winner.
However, Ayoub’s journey ended after the swimsuit round, the evening’s first competition, where she wore a white one-piece with sheer white tights. Contestants are judged across multiple categories, including evening gowns, interviews, and social impact platforms, to determine who advances.
Reaching the top 30 meant Ayoub scored higher than at least 90 other contestants, though she did not secure a spot in the top 12. Screenshots and social media posts obtained by The Post reveal she had previously deleted evidence of her marriage to Sharaf Barghouti, the son of Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences in Israel for orchestrating terror attacks that killed five people in 2001 and 2002. Ayoub and Barghouti have a child together, named after the convicted terrorist.
Miss USA also made the top 30, alongside representatives from Mexico, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Malta, Chile, Canada, Miss Universe Latina, Croatia, Venezuela, Guatemala, Palestine, Nicaragua, France, Paraguay, China, Thailand, Brazil, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Bangladesh, Cuba, Japan, Puerto Rico, Netherlands, India, and Guatemala.
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