Contestants Miss Iraq Sarah Eedan (R) and Miss Israel Adar Gandelsman (L) pose together for a selfie as they prepare for the 2017 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, United States, Nov. 13, 2017. (Image credit: Sarah Idan/Social Media /Via Reuters)
Former Miss Universe Iraq contestant Sarah Idan, known for her famous selfie with Miss Israel in 2017, has announced her candidacy for the United States Congress in the November 2024 elections. As reported by the Algemeiner outlet on Wednesday night, Idan will seek the California 30th arrondissement in the House of Representatives.
Sarah Idan wants to represent California’s 30th district in the US Congress
On her campaign website, Sarah Idan talks about her childhood as a refugee amidst the conflicts in Iraq and her work as a translator for US troops in the region. She also mentions the selfie incident with Miss Israel, Adar Gandelsman, and how she and her family received death threats as a result. These threats forced Idan’s family to flee Iraq.
Sarah Idan visited Israel in 2018 and met Gandelsman again while touring the country. During an interview with Channel 2 News at the time, Idan expressed his opinion: “I don’t think Iraq and Israel are enemies, I think maybe governments are enemies of each other. With the people, there are a lot of Iraqis who have no problem with the Israelis , with the Jewish people.”
Sarah Idan sheds light on her experience as a refugee and her commitment to reconciliation and peace
Idan’s Iraqi citizenship was revoked after he delivered a speech at a 2019 United Nations event commemorating the expulsion of Jews from North Africa and the Middle East following the establishment of the State of Israel.
Speaking to Algemeiner, Idan affirmed that there is no better candidate to represent minority groups than she, as an immigrant, Muslim woman and native of Iraq, a country directly affected by United States foreign policy. He insists that his vote is definitely the minority vote and deems it necessary to have an Iraqi voice in Congress.
Sarah Idan is committed to advocating for minority rights and promoting tolerance
Sarah Idan’s campaign platform seeks to raise awareness of issues such as gender equality, refugee rights, religious tolerance and the plight of persecuted minorities in the Middle East. In addition to her participation in beauty pageants, Idan is the founder and executive director of Humanity Forward, an organization that aims to promote reconciliation, tolerance and mutual understanding between Muslims and Jews and to overcome existing barriers and boundaries.
Idan also seeks to counter anti-Israel voices within the Democratic Party, such as those of Minnesota congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib. As he told the Algemeiner, he feels the party has been influenced by far-left socialist voices that do not represent all people with liberal views. Idan believes it is necessary to have a voice like his in Congress, a secular Muslim voice that can challenge and not share the radical ideology and agenda of certain political sectors.
Sarah Idan paints a more realistic picture of the region
As a Middle Eastern native and activist, Sarah Idan believes she would paint a more realistic picture of what is happening in the region, unlike those who came to the United States as refugees at a young age and did not personally experience the difficulties they and his family faced and are still facing.
Idan has a deep passion for involvement in politics because of the direct impact political decisions have on her life and the safety of her family.
