Jewel in the crown
by mahmood on 31/07/07 at 4:17 pm · email · print
Newly-crowned Miss Arab World Wafa Janahi flew back to Bahrain to a tumultuous welcome yesterday. The 23-year-old law graduate was mobbed by family, friends and well-wishers after she disembarked from her EgyptAir flight at Bahrain International Airport. She was dressed in the spectacular robes she was wearing when judges awarded her the prestigious title in Cairo last week. Ms Janahi also wore the dazzling crown and clutched the Miss Arab World trophy and a bouquet of flowers, as she met with her excited family and friends.
She was clearly touched by the warm reception and said she was delighted to have done her country proud, as its first ever entrant into the competition.
“I am so happy because I represented my country in a good way,” said Ms Janahi.
“I was very excited to be able to go and I am very happy I won. I did many educational and cultural activities during my time in Egypt and it was very beautiful place,” she added.
She had pulled out earlier after being offended by remarks in an Arabic Press which criticised the event as a thinly-disguised beauty pageant – but changed her mind in the face of a groundswell of support.
Ms Janahi said she now planned to find ways to do the most good possible in her one-year reign, including community work and helping children, rather than just pursuing a career.
“My plans have changed because I am looking to help people and represent Bahrain at any conference or other event,” she said.
Her brother, 15-year-old Abdulla, said he was ‘happy and proud’ of his sister.
Close friend Manal Al Qadi was also delighted.
“I feel very happy because I think Janahi deserved this prize. She is really the perfect person to win because she is very kind and intelligent. I am her friend and I think she is perfect,” said Ms Al Qadi.
Bahrain’s participation in the event was arranged by Treeworks International – an events management firm based in the kingdom.
Managing director Fathi Al Alawi accompanied Ms Janahi to Egypt for the contest.
He described his emotions during the final days of an event which saw entrants take part in two weeks of humanitarian and cultural activities, before a final round of answering questions on stage from a panel of judges.
“I thought maybe it would be too difficult for a Bahraini girl, competing in the show for the first time, to win,” said Mr Al Alawi.
He said judges had asked Ms Janahi questions about Cairo and Bahrain and when asked which magic power she would have, she answered that she would like to have the ability to speak many languages, so that she could help people around the world.
Her answers struck a chord with the judges and her victory means next year’s event will be hosted by Bahrain.
“There will be a Press conference this week and we will announce the schedule of what Wafa will do in the coming year. She wants to help the people of Bahrain and make children happy.”
GDN – 31 July, ’07
