STUNNING Shereen Ahmed is full of joy after being crowned Miss Universe Bahrain and is looking forward to competing in the grand final in Mexico later this year.
The 29-year-old Bahraini told the GDN that she was inspired to enter the competition after Miss Universe International scrapped the age limit a few months ago.
For decades, the Miss Universe Organisation enforced strict age restrictions limiting participation to women aged 18 to 28. But amid growing calls to modernise, a decision was taken to open the contest to women of all ages.
“I feel extremely overwhelmed at the moment but filled with gratitude,” said Ms Ahmed, who took the title from seven other Bahraini contestants following a tough final in the Maldives.
“I’ve been on this journey since January and it feels amazing to look back on all the stages and be crowned a winner,” she added.
Ms Ahmed, who holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media from Middlesex University in Dubai, said this was her second time competing in the competition, the first being in 2022 when she came third.
“I was 27 at the time, so the age limit in Miss Universe International was always in the back of my mind,” she said.
“However, the pageant has since become more inclusive to women from all walks of life, and it really gave me a push to re-enter the competition and I am glad I did.”
This year, the writer and TV presenter had founded a community initiative, Hope Bahrain, to support single mothers in the region. The platform collects donations and purchases essential items such as diapers and baby formula for single mothers.
“This is a cause that is very close to my heart,” Ms Ahmed said, adding that she was raised by a single Filipina mother after she parted from her Bahraini husband.
“I saw my mum struggle and she didn’t have much help, so it’s become a mission of mine to help other women, so they don’t have to endure what my mother did.”
Ms Ahmed, who spent her childhood in the kingdom and now resides in the UAE, is looking forward to Miss Universe which is expected to be held in Mexico on November 16.
“After seeing how much life has changed for me, I really encourage all women to set aside their fears and take life as it comes. It’s important that we all work together and inspire each other for the collective good,” she said.
Established in 2021, Miss Universe Bahrain is a competition of beauty, intellect and empowerment, showcasing talents and passions of women from all walks of life.
Applications for Miss Universe Bahrain 2024 opened in December last year. After three months, in late February, online interviews were conducted and 15 women, whose stories empower others from the region, were selected.
After the first round, the shortlisted candidates were called for a Blind Introduction, where everyone was put in a meeting room, where they could only hear, not see one another. Judges selected their favourites and after a week of voting, the top 10 were shortlisted.
A series of video challenges, talent segments, motivational talks, fashion videos and more were held online as part of the competition.
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