New Delhi, 26 March 2024
Saudi Arabia’s landmark entry into the Miss Universe competition this year marks a significant milestone for the country. Rumy Alqahtani, aged 27, took to Instagram to announce her participation, making her the first contestant to represent the country in the prestigious international beauty pageant. The event is set to take place on September 18 in Mexico.
Alqahtani’s decision to compete follows in the footsteps of Lujane Yacoub from Bahrain, who made history last year as the first contestant from the Gulf region to participate in Miss Universe.
This development is a pivotal moment for the empowerment of Saudi women. Alqahtani has a track record of participating in various international pageants on behalf of her country, including Miss Asia Malaysia, Miss Arab Peace, and Miss Europe. Fluent in Arabic, French, and English, she boasts a substantial following on Instagram and other social media platforms, with millions of followers. Additionally, she holds a bachelor’s degree in dentistry.
The move underscores Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transition under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. Since assuming the role of crown prince in June 2017, the 38-year-old has overseen significant changes in the nation. His ambitious “Vision 2030” initiative, aimed at introducing social and economic reforms, has been instrumental in driving these transformations.
Under Prince Mohammed’s leadership, Saudi Arabia has witnessed groundbreaking shifts, including the lifting of the ban on women driving, the permission for women to attend public concerts and sporting events alongside men, and the ability for women to obtain passports without male guardianship. Furthermore, the country has embraced mixed-gender activities and revoked its long-standing ban on movie theaters, signaling a departure from traditional customs and norms.
Prateeksha Kumari is a journalist and strategic communications professional specialising in digital journalism, political reporting, and public affairs. Her work focuses on grassroots issues, governance, and civic developments, with an emphasis on clarity, accuracy, and narrative-driven reporting.
She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla and has qualified the UGC-NET examination, reflecting her academic grounding in media studies and communication research. Her reporting spans politics, public policy, health, education, and socio-economic issues, and she is experienced in bilingual (Hindi and English) content creation tailored to diverse audiences.
Alongside her journalistic work, she brings experience in political communication and public relations, where she has contributed to campaign messaging, media outreach, and narrative building. She has worked on integrated communication strategies across print and digital platforms, combining editorial judgment with audience insight and data-led content approaches.