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Egyptian model Logina Salah makes history at Miss Universe
Egyptian model Logina Salah made history at the Miss Universe beauty pageant on Sunday, as the first contestant from her country to make it to the top 30 of the competition's 73-year-old history.
Salah, from the coastal city of Alexandria, had the opportunity to showcase Egyptian culture and her country at the global beauty competition, which was held in Mexico on Sunday.
On stage, Salah wore a multitude of outfits, including a costume emulating that of Egyptian queen Cleopatra which she said symbolised "the comeback of the powerful legacy of leadership.
She also wore a cape which featured hand-painted images of the country's famous pyramids, the Sphinx and text in hieroglyphics.
In a post on Instagram Saleh said: "We made history. I am beyond thrilled and incredibly proud to see Egypt make it to the semi-finals [Top 30] of Miss Universe! This is the result of unwavering dedication, hard work, and a mindset that always strives for greatness."
"We've put Egypt back on the pageantry map, and this is just the beginning," she added.
The competition also saw debutant contestants from Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Entrants from Bahrain and Lebanon also represented the Middle East and North Africa region.
Salah’s achievement as an Egyptian wasn’t the sole highlight from the contest - she also happens to suffer from the skin condition vitiligo, paving the way for models and beauty pageants with skin conditions.
The 34-year-old has used her platform to share her personal journey with the skin condition and breaking stereotypes of those suffering with such conditions.
"For many years I used to think of my patches (Vitiligo) as a source of embarrassment and shame, and today’s dress is inspired by how I celebrate my patches everyday now and I see them as colourful as the patches on this dress and the uneven patches on this dress is how I see myself and my skin as imperfectly perfect," she said on her Instagram account.
Salah, who is based in Dubai and is a mother of one, made her runway debut at Dubai Fashion Week in 2023.