VIDEO and PHOTOS: Zhalia Sirwan crowned Miss Kurdistan 2016

In an exclusive ceremony on Thursday late evening, Zhalia Sirwan was selected among 11 candidates as Miss Kurdistan 2016.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – In an exclusive ceremony on Thursday, Zhalia Sirwan was chosen among 11 finalists as Miss Kurdistan 2016.

Babylon Media held the third ceremony of choosing Miss Kurdistan pageant. The event took place at Babylon Hall in the district of Ankawa, Erbil.

It was sponsored by the Kurdistan Tourism Board and Babylon Company. According to the Babylon Manager Salwan Zaitoun, the event cost about US$350,000.

Zhalia Sirwan, who was the winner, is a 20-year old student in a college in Sulaimani.

More than 70 women from Kurdistan and the diaspora applied for the beauty pageant, but only 11 were nominated for Miss Kurdistan 2016, Soran Biradosti, the Operation Manager at Babylon Media, told Kurdistan24 previously.

There were also 12 juries for Miss Kurdistan pageant, six of whom were expats while the rest were from the Kurdistan Region.

In addition to the beauty of the candidates, their skills, talents, and knowledge were considered based on international standards, according to Biradosti.

The first Miss Kurdistan winner in 2012 was Shene Aziz Ako, born in 1994 in the town of Raniya in the province of Sulaimani.

She grew up in Norway and speaks four languages: Kurdish, English, Norwegian, and Hindi.

Miss Kurdistan 2013 was Fenk Mohammed from Sulaimani Province who was born in 1988. She grew up in Switzerland and speaks four languages: Kurdish, French, Spanish and English.

Th beauty pageant was on hiatus for two years.

 

Editing by Ava Homa

Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)
Miss Kurdistan 2016 candidates, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, October 7, 2016. (Photo: Babylon Media)