DUBAI: A Muslim woman who fled the Bosnian refugee camp she spent time in as a baby has been named Miss World Australia 2017.
Esma Voloder, 25, has come a long way from her war-torn roots and was awarded the coveted crown in a competition in Melbourne on Friday.
Voloder said that she hopes to use the title to challenge stereotypes associated with Islam.
“The Islam that I know, that is in the Qur’an, I don’t associate that with any acts that are occurring around the world,” she said after her crowning ceremony.
“People tend to blame religion for the atrocities that are happening, but if we do that we take responsibility away from the individuals.”
The seasoned pageant competitor told the crowd that “a lot of things have been misconstrued about Islam.
“I feel that a category has been created that is not really what the Qur’an actually promotes. I believe Islam is about peace, unity, prosperity and inclusion.”
Voloder moved to Australia when she was five-months-old and went on to earn a degree in psychology.
She now works as a criminal profiler in Melbourne and said that she hopes to inspire unity in her new role.
“Despite what your personal beliefs are, if we all believe in what is good, we can work together and make this world a beautiful and liveable place while we are here.”
