Beauty Pageant winner Esma Voloder has made a heartbreaking revelation – telling The Daily Telegraph she’s been attacked in the past based for being a practicing Muslim woman.
“I forgive them … I feel it comes from a lack of understanding,” the 25-year-old said yesterday.
“I am hoping to break down the barriers by just being me.”
Following Voloder’s win last Friday, Miss World Australia national director Deborah Miller told the news site that the organisation had received many “awful and mean” calls demanding she be replaced.
“We have had lots of calls, people saying terrible things,” Ms Miller said.
“People have said: ‘How did you let a Muslim win?’. We believe Esma is a strong woman and represents a multicultural Australia.”
While Voloder has been targeted she tells the publication she will use their hate to inspire her to win the title of Miss World.
The model often shares positive affirmations on her Instagram account.
This article originally appeared on Who.