Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation

No Beauty in Occupation: Malaysia and Indonesia Boycott Israeli-held Miss Universe

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Nov 2021 14:19
  • 47 Shares
3 Min Read

While Miss Malaysia and Indonesia boycott the Miss Universe 2021 event held in "Israel," Arab countries which have recently normalized with the occupation participate.

  • x
  • No
    As "Israel" commits serious human rights violations, beauty pageants are here to "clean the mess." 

The 70th Miss Universe Pageant will be held this year in Eilat, "Israel," the southmost point of occupied Palestine, bordering Egypt and Jordan on the Red Sea - marking the first time in which the occupation hosts the event.

In response to the occupation's attempts to whitewash its crimes with a beauty contest, Miss Malaysia and Miss Indonesia have taken the decision to boycott the event by withdrawing from it.

Meanwhile, Miss UAE and Miss Morocco, the only Arab contestants who are actively participating, were granted access to the events following the normalization of relations between their governments and the occupation's in 2020.

However, as attempts to whitewash "Israel" with beauty contests and similar events are rapidly multiplying, it is becoming increasingly difficult to turn a blind eye to their appalling and ever-mounting war crimes, notably during their assault on Gaza last May which saw the murder of over 230 Palestinians, including women and children.

Israeli violence does not end here, as administrative detention by the occupation forces alone has created a crisis of human rights violations, where prisoners have reached their 110th day of hunger strike in protest of the poor and abusive prisoner conditions. 

Related News

What is Netanyahu smoking? Araghchi slams Israeli influence over US

Resistance's resilience shapes talks with 'Israel': Exclusive

Many voices have called on the boycott of the event: Inkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, posted a statement on Instagram calling on Miss Universe pageants to "follow suit" with Malaysia and Indonesia. 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Nkosi Zwelivelile 🕋 (@nkosizwelivelile)

"There is nothing beautiful about occupation, brutality and institutionalized discrimination against the Palestinian people," he asserted. The statement came after 24-year-old Lalela Mswane was crowned Miss South Africa 2021 on Saturday, at the Grand Arena in Cape Town. 

In addition, Mandela called on African countries to withdraw from the contest in "Israel," also in protest of the African Union's recent decision to grant "Israel" observer status, which was recently postponed. 

This isn't the first time cultural events held in "Israel" experience waves of boycotts - in 2019, the Eurovision contest in "Tel Aviv" was also heavily criticized and boycotted by multiple artists. 

Paula Shugart, the President of the Miss Universe Organization, told the Jerusalem Post that the beauty pageants will be embarking on a "cultural" tour, visiting historic sites in the occupied lands. The visit poses as a facade, a distraction from the abuses of the Israeli government against Palestinians. 

However, with Malaysia and Indonesia taking audacious stances, the world might just witness a powerful ripple . 

  • Israel
  • Ms Universe 2021
  • Malaysia
  • Indonesia

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS