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Miss Iraq and Miss Israel vying for Miss Universe title face backlash over selfie

Miss Iraq and Miss Israel vying for Miss Universe title face backlash over selfie

"This picture doesn't mean I support the Israeli government or its policies...," says Iraq's Sarah Idan to clarify
22 Nov, 2017

The selfie caption may read "Peace and Love from Miss Iraq and Miss Israel", but the reaction to them posing together has prompted quite an opposite reaction.

Beauty queens Sarah Idan and Adar Gandelsman are representing their respective countries at the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, but Iraq's Idan probably wasn't betting on the backlash to her Instagram post.

More than 4,200 "likes" greeted their picture, but it also triggered an avalanche of comments, some positive and others negative as Iraq and Israel are still technically at war.

Peace and Love from Miss Iraq and Miss Israel ❤️❤️💕💕 #missuniverse

A post shared by Sarah Idan (Sarai) سارة عيدان (@sarahidan) on

In a response in Arabic, 27-year-old Idan said Gandelsman told her "she hopes that one day there will be peace between the two religions (Judaism and Islam) and that her children will not have to do military service".

"She asked for a photo and I agreed, saying that I too hoped for peace and wanted to help pass on the message," added Idan, who said she had served with both the US and Iraqi armies.

"This picture doesn't mean I support the Israeli government or its policies towards Arab countries. I apologise to everyone who saw it as an insult to the Palestinian cause -- this was not its purpose."

One online response, from Isra al-Jabri, read: "Your peace with Israel, which has burned the Arab world for its own interests, does not honour us..."

"I respect pacifist Jews who oppose the state of Israel, but we don't want their peace built on the ruins of our country," Jabri added.

However, Samah al-Meshhadani believed that Miss Iraq had "made good use of this story".

"Maybe she will succeed in improving our relations with Israel so we become friends, who knows?"

Idan, a Muslim, was born and raised in Baghdad. Following the US-led invasion in 2003, she worked with the American military from 2008.

She later moved to the United States and got a degree in Los Angeles.

Gandelsman, 19, also posted a picture with Idan on her own Instagram account.

"This is Miss Iraq and she's amazing," the Israeli wrote.

In 2014, her country's Miss Universe contestant provoked uproar by posing with her counterpart from Lebanon, another country with which Israel is still technically at war.

Comments

Hassan Syed Nov 22, 2017 05:35pm
Beauty is within. Yet it's outward appearance reflects the innocence and charm .
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Nov 22, 2017 05:50pm
Welcome to the club.
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Onlysion john Derochea Nov 22, 2017 06:35pm
In my lifetime I have seen America open its doors to citizens of countries we were once at war. North Vietnam, Korea, China, Russia. etc....There is Peace among the people but not the military and Governments. Let us keep learning how to bring Love and Peace among peoples. I pray we see this example of these two courageous young ladies and share in their dream of a better future.
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faseeh Nov 22, 2017 07:46pm
@Hassan Syed right
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Honesty Nov 23, 2017 12:28am
Let there be peace.
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Alba Nov 23, 2017 01:19am
Girls have girlfriends. Beauty queens have little interest in politics. All the contestants are friendly with each other because women are social. They get to be friends during a beauty pageant because they spend a lot of time together.
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Ron Castelli Nov 23, 2017 02:07am
Make love not war!
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Javed Nov 23, 2017 04:33am
Beauty is universal. May the rightful win!
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Sidney Sridhar Nov 23, 2017 05:22am
A very timely picture of two young inspirations!
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Ji Nov 23, 2017 09:52am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Ch what club. Spamming all articles
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Ahsan Gul Nov 23, 2017 10:09am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad - write some constructive comments worth reading.
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Ahmad Nov 23, 2017 11:40am
Goddd I love Beauty!
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farouq omaro Nov 24, 2017 09:20am
Why drag political conflicts into beauty contests. Small minded men!
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ajay Nov 24, 2017 12:44pm
A big Miss-take.
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sMJ Nov 24, 2017 02:40pm
What is the problem in promoting peace and harmony? This should prevail - the coming together of people to start building bonds of trust, love and friendship ...
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