Miss Universe Iraq 2017

SARAH ABDALI IDAN was crowned the new Miss Universe Iraq 2017 on 1 November in a special ceremony held at Miss Iraq Organization headquarters in Qadisiya, Baghdad. She has been chosen via an open casting in consultation with Miss Universe Organization after the dethronement of the original winner of Miss Iraq. Former Miss Iraq 2015 and Miss Universe 2016 designate, Shaymaa Qasim, did the honours of crowning the new winner.

Sarah is 27 years old, 5'7" tall and was raised in Baghdad, but her parents originally hail from the city of Hillah in Babylon. She is a singer, songwriter and musician by profession and graduated with a degree in performance arts.

After the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Sarah worked with the American led coalition forces in Baghdad through which she received the opportunity to travel to United States. She is also the reigning Miss Iraq USA having won the title last year in Michigan. 

Sarah will make history as the first Iraqi woman in over 40 years to participate in the Miss Universe contest this year which is slated to be held on 26 November 2017 at the AXIS Theater of Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, USA. Iraq last participated in this prestigious international beauty contest in 1972 when our country was represented by Wejdan Sulyman in Puerto Rico.

GB Opinion: Welcome back, Iraq. Great to see you on the international stage again. It's too bad Shaymaa Qasim won't represent Iraq as she is stunning!