Zenobia Jaafar, a 27-year-old from Detroit, was crowned Miss Arab USA 2024 in Arizona last week.
The Miss Arab USA pageant, organized by the Arab American Organization, featured 20 finalists who were judged on the basis of their philanthropic work, personality and involvement in community work.
Zenobia Jafar Biography
The Michigan State University graduate immigrated to the United States in the late 1990s, fleeing the Iraq War.
She is one of nine siblings and is a self-taught photographer, poet and social media content creator.
Jaffer told the Free Press he wants to use his $10,000 prize money and his influence to help others.
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“Before I received this title, I independently did charity work and fundraising for people in the developing world,” she said. “This is something I started a long time ago and something I want to continue.”
“There are many things I’m looking forward to, and one of them is working with refugees. I came to America as a refugee, and I think this will be an emotional experience for me, but also a rewarding one.”
Jaffer said he’s also interested in helping cancer patients and visiting children’s hospitals.
“This contest is not just about beauty. Beauty does not define a person’s personality. It is really great that women take care of themselves, but beauty comes from within and that is what matters most,” she said.
Selection Process
Jafar was selected from 20 finalists aged between 18 and 28.
Ashar El-Ghmal, president of the American Arab Society, told the Free Press that the contest was meant to encourage young women to contribute to Arab communities across the country.
“Contestants must meet the age requirement, be of Arab descent, be female-born and have at least a high school diploma.”
According to Elgumal, contestants start preparing eight weeks before the competition, first by submitting an online portfolio which is then reviewed by a panel of judges.
Participants who pass the application process receive an invitation to an in-person group meeting, where over the course of six weeks they will workshop their fundraising ideas and participate in a series of interviews, all while building their community with one another.
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Participants then compete in a final contest and are scored out of 200 points.
The criteria measure contestants’ education, hobbies, skills, personality and community ties. The winner will receive a cash prize and the title of Miss Arab 2024.
Judges will be selected through an application process by the organisations. Judges are unpaid volunteers and all expenses, including meals, travel and accommodation, will be covered by the organisations.
The Arab American Organization is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political and non-partisan organization serving Arab communities and promoting Arab culture throughout the country. Its headquarters are in Phoenix.
Jalen Williams is an intern at the Detroit Free Press. He can be reached at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
