Nineteen-year-old Shene Aziz, who last July became the first woman to be crowned Miss Kurdistan at Erbil’s Rotana Hotel, says she wants to remain simple, despite her title. Currently residing in Norway, Aziz is originally from Ranya, a small town northeast of Sulaimani in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region. In this interview with Rudaw, she speaks about the experience of being Miss Kurdistan 2012, and says she wants to work on charity projects to improve the lives of the needy.
Rudaw: Is being Miss Kurdistan a responsibility?
Shene Aziz: Absolutely. When you are crowned you represent a country. However, since the day I was crowned I have not worn my crown. I want to be simple. When my term ends and I put down the crown, I will no longer be Miss Kurdistan.
Rudaw: Has the crown changed your lifestyle?
Shene Aziz: My life has changed very much. Only a few hours before being crowned Miss Kurdistan, I was just an ordinary girl studying abroad. However, now I am back in my country, where the culture and lifestyle are quite different from where I was raised. Now, I calculate every step I take; I have to protect myself and the crown. However, I am still Shene.
Rudaw: In Halabja, you said you have projects for the people of that city. What are your projects?
Shene Aziz: I am focusing on charity works for women and children. However, I have taken up some other tasks as well, such as organizing festivals and cultural activities. I visited Halabja and saw the city close up. I have taken notes of things that must be done in the city. I am working on writing proposals. I want to help the children of Halabja, and provide them with clothing and other daily needs. They had bigger demands, such as vehicles for public transportation, and renovating kindergartens. I will certainly work on those demands as well.
Rudaw: What are your financial sources? How will you finance your projects?
Shene Aziz: Normally, in other countries, beauty queens rely on the support of the government and private companies. But I mainly rely on the sponsorship of companies. I hope to get support from the government agencies as well. I gladly met with Iraqi first lady, Hero Ibrahim Ahmed, and discussed my plans with her.
Rudaw: Did she promise to support your projects?
Shene Aziz: She has not financially supported me yet, but did promise to do so.
Rudaw: How many major companies are willing to sponsor your works?
Shene Aziz: I have met with many companies. Fortunately, they are willing to be my sponsors. However, I have not signed agreements with any one of them.
Rudaw: Why not?
Shene Aziz: Because I want to get help from the government agencies, and I want to write down all of my proposals first. My projects for Sulaimani province and Halabja city are clear, but I have to visit Erbil and Duhok and see what I can do in those provinces too. Then, I will seek sponsors.
Rudaw: Have they asked you to advertise for them?
Shene Aziz: Of course. I have to advertise for them, and then they will sponsor my projects.
Rudaw: How have government agencies responded to your request for support?
Shene Aziz: They are very welcoming. I am sure that if Miss Kurdistan was elected a few years ago, she would have been treated in the same way. Besides those government agencies that have promised to support my projects, I hope that other agencies will step up and help. When I visit them, I visit them as Miss Kurdistan, not as Shene Aziz. My proposals are presented to them as proposals from Miss Kurdistan. Unfortunately, I have heard rumors saying Shene Aziz visits government agencies for personal interests. I would like to assure everyone that these rumors are untrue.
Rudaw: How about establishing relations with other countries’ beauty queens?
Shene Aziz: I have established relations with Miss Lebanon, Norway, Sweden, and Poland. I have asked them about their projects and work style. They have been very helpful. In particular, Miss Norway has been very helpful. She taught me a lot in regards to how beauty queens work and what they do. Miss Poland and I are now very close friends.
Rudaw: What did they say about the Kurdistan Region electing beauty queens?
Shene Aziz: When Kurdistan elected its beauty queen, it projected a different picture of Kurdistan and Iraq to the world, particularly to the European countries. Many countries now understand that the Kurdistan Region has its own characteristics. I received many phone calls from different countries, and was congratulated on the occasion.
Rudaw: How did your school receive the news?
Shene Aziz: The principal congratulated me, and the school held a ceremony for me on the occasion. They were very happy for me.
Rudaw: Have your counterparts from other countries shown willingness to visit Kurdistan?
Shene Aziz: One of my projects is organizing a festival, in which a number of beauty queens are to attend. I will invite beauty queens from a number of countries. The date of the festival is not determined yet. But Miss Lebanon, Poland, Norway, Sweden and Egypt will attend.
Rudaw: Do you have connections with Miss World?
Shene Aziz: It is not like we are friends; maybe just as beauty queens. She is Miss World and I am Miss Kurdistan. Unfortunately, there isn’t any particular organization in the world to build relations among beauty queens.
Rudaw: Have you received any unpleasant comments in person?
Shene Aziz: If you are a female you face many such comments on a daily basis. Now, if you are a female and crowned beauty queen, you can imagine yourself!
Rudaw: Have you met with the Kurdish leaders?
Shene Aziz: No, not yet. But I would like to meet with them, particularly the prime minister, since he holds the executive powers. I am sure he will be willing to meet with me too. He can be an asset for my projects.
Rudaw: Have you done anything in terms advocating for peace during the recent political tensions between Kurdistan and Iraq?
Shene Aziz: I hope the disputes are set aside and peace is valued. I would also like to thank all the Kurdistan political parties for coming together in the face of threats against Kurdistan. In addition, I would like to greet our Peshmarga forces and thank them for being in the frontlines to defend our Kurdistan.
Rudaw: Any projects for the thalassemia and cancer victims?
Shene Aziz: Last Wednesday, I visited the Hiwa hospital in Sulaimani, the Juvenile Center, the women’s correction center, a school and the Disability Union. I took notice of their needs and I am hoping to work for them. In the near future, I will visit the thalassemia patients and several other places.
Rudaw: What have you learned from other countries’ beauty queens?
Shene Aziz: I have learned a lot from Miss Norway. She said she works for an organization, and through it she is doing her charity works. They do not look for financial support like I do. They focus on one area, for example helping women, children, or the disabled. But I think I have tackled many issues, and I believe it is necessary for me to do so.
Rudaw: Do you regret running for Miss Kurdistan?
Shene Aziz: No, I do not. If permitted I would run again. We have to realize that this is the first time Kurdistan elects a beauty queen and there are many challenges. I have accepted the criticisms, and will continue to accept them as long as I am not prevented from serving Kurdistan.
Rudaw: Are you still a student?
Shene Aziz: Unfortunately, I lost a whole year of my studies due to this crown. But certainly, I will return to school after my term as Miss Kurdistan ends. I would also like to seize this opportunity and through your media invite the people of Kurdistan to send suggestions and requests to my email address. Wherever they need me, they are more than welcome to send me an email.
Rudaw: Has anyone in Kurdistan asked you for marriage?
Shene Aziz: Certainly; via telephone, Facebook and other means I have been asked. I would like to thank them, but that is not how I want to get married.
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