A picture taken on 21 November 2017 shows a picture posted by the Instagram profile of Sarah Idan on 14 November, who holds the titles of Miss Iraq USA 2016 and Miss Iraq Universe 2017, as she is seen taking a ‘selfie’ photograph with Adar Gandelsman, who holds the title of Miss Universe Israel 2017, with a caption reading: ‘Peace and Love from Miss Iraq and Miss Israel #missuniverse’. The post has been ‘liked’ over 3 600 times since it was first uploaded but it also triggered an avalanche of comments, some positive and others negative in Iraq, which does not recognise the Jewish state and is still technically in a state of war with it. Both contestants defended the post saying they wanted to share a message of peace.
Image: THOMAS COEX / AFP
‘Follow your heart’: Ex Miss Iraq gives Lalela Mswane advice [watch]
‘She is definitely a hero’, says ex Miss Iraq Sarah Idan of Miss SA Lalela Mswane and her controversial trip to Miss Universe in Israel…
A picture taken on 21 November 2017 shows a picture posted by the Instagram profile of Sarah Idan on 14 November, who holds the titles of Miss Iraq USA 2016 and Miss Iraq Universe 2017, as she is seen taking a ‘selfie’ photograph with Adar Gandelsman, who holds the title of Miss Universe Israel 2017, with a caption reading: ‘Peace and Love from Miss Iraq and Miss Israel #missuniverse’. The post has been ‘liked’ over 3 600 times since it was first uploaded but it also triggered an avalanche of comments, some positive and others negative in Iraq, which does not recognise the Jewish state and is still technically in a state of war with it. Both contestants defended the post saying they wanted to share a message of peace.
Image: THOMAS COEX / AFP
Former Miss Iraq Sarah Idan has given her full support to Miss SA Lalela Mswane who will be travelling to Israel to compete at the Miss Universe pageant next month.
The local beauty queen has faced backlash for her decision to continue competing in the country described by government and human rights organisations as an “apartheid state”.
Now the Iraqi beauty queen and philanthropist is throwing her weight behind Lalela, insisting she should “follow her heart”, as she once did.
A MESSAGE TO MISS SA LALELA MSWANE
In an interview with Israeli news network i24 News, Sarah Idan shared her special message to Lalela Mswane, who has faced intense criticism and even “cyberbullying”, claim the Miss SA Organisation
Following SA government’s announcement last week that it would be “withdrawing” it’s official support from the Miss SA pageant ahead of the Miss Universe pageant, the former Miss Iraq 2017 weighed in on the debacle.
She said in a message to Lalela: “I would tell her to follow her heart and not listen to anyone. One of the best decisions I have made in my life was not listening to the Iraqi government.
“I went through exactly the same thing that she went through…Because they withdrew their licence from the Miss Iraq organisation and they fought me. I commend her for her stance and her strength and she should do this not only for her beliefs but because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent your country on a world stage.
“This is exactly the kind of ideals we want to push to the world as role models that we’re all about peace and bringing people together.”
Former Miss Iraq Sarah Idan
“We don’t care about governments, we care about people who live in the country, and if she goes through with it, she is definitely a hero and we all need to thank her and recognise her effort for doing that, because I understand how difficult it is”.
EX MISS IRAQ RESPONDS TO MANDLA MANDELA
Sarah also reflected on her own experience, which she likened to that of Lalela Mswane.
She continued: “When I went to Israel, I discovered an entire truth that’s been hidden from me and my own government since I was born.”
She also took the opportunity to address Mandla Mandela, whom she has been in a war of words with over the topic.
“I explained to him that Israel is not an apartheid. I went there and I saw it and I know people who are Muslims, Jews and Christian who all live in Israel. They’re part of the government, they vote, they shape the policies”.
