'Miss Iraq' wears dress with Israeli hostage names to Oscars event

Sarah Idan, crowned "Miss Iraq 2017," made a bold statement by wearing a dress adorned with the names of hostages held by terrorists in Gaza and a plea for their release.

She donned this attire at Elton John's AIDS charity event, held concurrently with the Oscars on March 10-11.

Despite the significance of her gesture, Sarah Idan's photo was notably absent from news agencies and media reports.

However, it gained traction after being shared on her social media platform, X, and widely circulated by many Israelis on their own social media pages.

Sir Elton John's charity gala boasted a star-studded attendance and managed to raise nearly $11 million for AIDS research. Yet, based on photo reports, it appears that Sarah Idan stood alone in raising awareness about the plight of Israeli hostages at this event.

It's worth recalling that in December 2023, Sarah visited Israel on a solidarity mission, marking her third visit to the Jewish state.

During her stay, she toured settlements along the Gaza Strip border and expressed unwavering support for Israel, stating, "The world may clamor for the liberation of Palestine, but this isn't about liberation; it's about terrorism. It's a level of barbarity that can't be justified."

Sarah Idan hails from Baghdad and spent her formative years in a war-torn environment until the age of 19.

Reflecting on her upbringing, she recounted, "When I was 13, Saddam Hussein stationed an anti-aircraft battery two blocks from our house."

She emphasized the devastating toll of internal conflict: "No one caused more harm to Iraqis than Iraqis killing their own people."

In 2017, the Iraqi government selected Sarah to represent Iraq at the Miss Universe pageant. During the competition, she forged a friendship with "Miss Israel" Adar Gandelsman. The two shared a "selfie," which Sarah also posted on her Instagram alongside the caption, "Peace and Love from Miss Iraq and Miss Israel."

This innocent gesture triggered threats against Sarah's family, compelling them to flee Iraq. Despite the risks, Sarah refused to delete the photos.

Currently, Sarah Idan is campaigning for a seat in the US Congress under the Democratic Party banner.