The finale of Miss World 2021, the 70th edition of Miss World, will be held on 16th March 2022 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In a recent announcement made by the Miss World organization, Top 40 delegates were selected to enter the final leg of the competition.
In a series of features, here are the forty delegates, in no particular order, (15 from the fast-track competitions and 25 through judges’ choice) who will fly to Puerto Rico for the coronation night. Khadija Omar representing Somalia has secured a spot in Top 40 by being one of the judges’ choice winners.
Khadija Omar is all set to debut her country’s win at this year’s Miss World edition. Not only that, Khadija is also the first hijabi contestant to represent her country at the international platform.
On making it to Top 40, Omar took to her official social media as she wrote, “Words cannot express how proud I am of the milestones we’ve crossed this year and last. Somalia has made so much history and continues to do so. Making the top 40 has shown me just how much hard work really pays off and how dreams really do come true. To everyone who supported me through this journey, I will forever be grateful. To my country and my team, thank you for giving me this opportunity, I will do my best to continue making you proud.”
Omar is 20 years of age and stands 5 feet 6 inches tall. She is a psychology major, a makeup artist and an entrepreneur who owns a makeup brand. Born in Kenya in Hagardera refugee camp, her family immigrated to Canada when she was 9-year-old.
Her Beauty with a Purpose project focuses on the Climate crisis in Somalia. She states, “Born and raised as a refugee at Hagadera camp in Kenya I fully understands the harsh climate conditions in Somalia such as water shortages, drought, locust infestation, floods which has internally displaced more than 2.3 Million people which affects women and children the most.”
Take a look at the Beauty with a Purpose project of Omar here –
She intends to work with the UNHCR and Somali Youth Action in creating livelihood and climate education programs especially for women and kids. She also wishes to work in relocating vulnerable persons from a flood-prone settlement for internally displaced people, secure sites where the IDPs will be provided with transitional shelter and emergency relief kits as well as fundraising money for them to begin a sustainable life after they are relocated.
With her unique representation of black hijabi women, her dedication towards her goals and her stunning beauty, Omar is definitely a strong contender for the international crown. If she wins Miss World 2021, it will indeed be a tremendous win for her country at the debut attempt.