Why would Miss Universe Morocco give up her crown?

The selection process for Miss Universe Morocco has led to controversy because the lady who was crowned relinquished her title.

Morocco returned to the Miss Universe contest this year after an absence of four decades.

Miss Universe Morocco announced on social media that Fatima Zahra Khayat, who won this year’s competition, relinquished her title after she suffered an ankle injury which has left her unable to represent the country in Israel later this year.

In a comment on Instagram, Fatima said: “I regret to inform you that unfortunately, I could not stay in the competition of @missuniverse following a fall that caused an “awful” ankle sprain.”

“I reluctantly withdraw from this honorable contest of @missuniversemorocco. Therefore my title of miss universe morocco will be transmitted to the first runner-up designated by the Jury the beautiful@kawtarbenhalima.”

There have been numerous reasons given as to what was behind her decision to step back from the competition, with some questioning whether she wanted to be in the limelight during the controversial plans to travel to the occupation state of Israel to partake in the Miss Universe 2021 competition on 12 December.

While some sources questioned her appointment as she is related to the show’s distributor RedOne, whose real name is Nadir Khayat.

Fatima’s 22-year-old successor has, however, already faced criticism after she revealed that her grandmother was in fact Algerian and had moved to Morocco. This led to calls for her to be stripped of the title, especially at a time when the two countries are suffering from heightened tensions and have cut relations.

READ: UAE, Morocco to take part in Miss Universe in Israel amid calls for boycott

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